Architektur Atelier Schindler

New construction of a single-family home in Messen

Completed in 2000-01

Guiding principle: Utilize the characteristics of the location

The plot is located on the edge of the building zone and benefits from an unobstructed view of the agricultural zone to the west. The aim of the design was to achieve the same quality and orientation for all living spaces. The solution resulted in an elongated building with an access axis on the east side.

Special features: Residential building, patio, and carport under one roof / large window front with uniform dimensions of the opening sashes.

0701 Wooden conservatory extension in Lenk

Facade renovation with new construction of larger balconies

Realization 2006-2009

Guiding principle: Uniform balconies that can be used individually

Building renovations make sense, keep buildings in good condition, and increase the value of old properties. Old buildings usually lack space, energy efficiency measures, generosity, or light quality. With clever extensions, clear concepts, and unconventional solutions, these buildings become more attractive.

Special feature: flexible weather and privacy protection for balconies with sliding elements.

Goal/philosophy

The goal of the planned conversion and renovation work was to preserve the existing building structure and character of the farmhouse as far as possible and, with great respect for the existing building, gently bring it up to today's standards.
The existing rooms on the upper floor, which were only accessible from the outside via the arbor, were to be made accessible from the inside.
It was imperative to renovate the kitchen and bathroom from the early 1970s and to install heating with the associated insulation of the building envelope.
The kitchen with the mezzanine above and the old smokehouse has been transformed into a large, bright living room with access to the courtyard and the new garden seating area.
The unclad material aesthetic fits in with the history of the house.

 

Description

The approximately 110-year-old residential part of the house was gently renovated and restored. Additional glazing with a door protects the courtyard and the entrance to the house from wind and weather. The original room height of 2.20 m in the existing rooms has been retained. To compensate for this, the ceiling of the old kitchen has been raised by around 1.5 m. At the same time, this room has been connected to the old smokehouse kitchen and opened up on both sides with a large window front. When the two rooms were merged, walls and paneling that had been installed later were removed, revealing natural masonry. From this central space, you have access to the old rooms on the ground floor and the new bathroom on one side, and to the upper floor via the new staircase on the other, for which the old external staircase was renovated and moved inside.
This newly created space is a living room, kitchen, and covered outdoor area all in one. It forms the heart of the house, with a view of the house entrance on one side, the hayloft above the kitchen through a window, and the apple orchard and new seating area on the other side.
The bathroom and living room are heated by underfloor heating in the sanded and transparently sealed subfloor, while lamella radiators have been installed in the rooms. The heat is generated by the new heat pump. For the transitional seasons, the tiled stove above the old stove in the kitchen can be heated up, just like in grandmother's day.The wooden floors in the upstairs rooms were sanded and oiled, while linoleum was chosen as the new flooring in the basement. The walls and ceilings in all rooms were sandblasted to remove the old paint from the coffered paneling.
When it came to thermal insulation, the decision was made in favor of room size and preserving the coffered paneling on the outside. This decision
helped give the house its new look. The vertical wooden slatted cladding blends discreetly into the surroundings, with only the underlying timber frame construction and the existing extension highlighted in light colors, creating a colorful accent.