In a village in East Germany, an abandoned 19th-century house was restored, turning it into an energy-independent home

/ Architecture /

In a small village in the former GDR, a 19th-century farmhouse that had been closed and forgotten for decades has been restored. The renovation project was carried out by HOFF ARCHITECTS in collaboration with Sierra Boaz Cobb, combining respect for historical architecture with innovative sustainable development technologies.

The building is built in a traditional half-timbered structure with brick walls. During the GDR, its appearance was significantly changed: some of the windows were bricked up, the main entrance was eliminated, and the facade was covered with concrete plaster. During the restoration, the architects removed layers of later layers, revealing the original brick and returning the walls to their natural vapor permeability, which improved the microclimate in the rooms. write WhiteMAD.

This is what the house looked like before the renovation

The facade was restored as closely as possible to its original appearance, and now the house once again blends harmoniously into the rural landscape. The only modern accent is the large windows and blinds, which add lightness and light.

Each tile has a shape and color identical to the traditional coverings of the region, and its light sheen resembles an ancient slate roof.

Photo: Pujan Shakupa

Due to the remoteness from the city infrastructure, the authors have used renewable energy systems. Solar photovoltaic tiles are installed on the roof, which power the house, and a geothermal heat pump, which receives heat from a depth of 130 meters. This combination ensures complete energy autonomy.

Photo: Pujan Shakupa

The layout of the house opens from a more closed front part to the garden, where there is an open day area with a two-light space. On the street side, low clay ceilings have been preserved, restored by hand. Inside, there is a massive wooden structure, which is now emphasized by a vertical slit in the facade, filling the space with daylight.

Glass partitions visually unite the floors, creating unexpected angles, while heated concrete floors and carefully executed internal insulation combine with authentic 19th century elements.

 

 

 

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