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Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

Germany Architecture News - Oct 14, 2024 - 11:48 589 views

Basel-based architecture practice Piertzovanis Toews has transformed an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany.

Named Erika and Willi's Barn, the old barn was renovated with a distinctive architectural approach commissioned by Erika and Willi Thiessen.

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

The studio began an experiment nearly four years ago. The owners had purchased a barn and were prepared to make a significant renovation on their own. Both the owner's financial resources and skill level as a craftsperson were constrained for the conversion.

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

"A sensitivity for architectural issues could not be assumed. For both, the owner and the architects, this project has been an intense yet rewarding journey," said Piertzovanis Toews.

Situated in a village amid Riesling and Chardonnay vineyards, the barn evolved into an ensemble centered around an 18th-century old mill. Its general design is still largely the same despite multiple changes; it features thick stone walls, an oak framework, and clay roof tiles.

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

"The restoration process started with the wood being meticulously sandblasted to reveal its original color and grain and to identify the various levels of damage and quality within the building," according to the studio.

Hay was once stored in the L-shaped room beneath the massive roof. The warped roof trusses and height variations in this central area are still present.

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

These days, the house is distinguished by four distinct color schemes: the pale red stairway, the lilac glass walkway to the courtyard, the green kitchen, which takes up a separate space, and the yellow loggia, which from the inside looks like a glass house.

The two far ends of the L house the new bedrooms, leaving the middle large area empty. Since the barn is a listed building, it was difficult to make any new openings.

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

The new skylight that runs the entire length of the building is the main source of natural light in the space. The rough, old brickwork can now be seen inside the space thanks to inner windows that are bigger than the openings already there.

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

"Other than the heating and the windows, every single step was carried out by the owners themselves, based on carefully prepared illustrated step-by-step manuals," said the studio.

"Confusions, sometimes almost reminding of Buster Keatons chaotic self-building slapstick "One Week" were part of the game."

"But even if they seem to be inherent in such a build-after-instruction process, it turned out that with time and patience a luckier outcome than the destructive ending of the movie has been possible," the team added.

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

The entire process, from placing the first quarry stones centuries ago to taking pictures and creating the prints by hand, has been a celebration of handiwork, showcasing its imperfections and fissures formed by labor and time.

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

Situation plan

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

Site plan

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

Ground floor plan

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

First floor plan

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

Cross section

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

Longitudinal section

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

East elevation

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

East elevation

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

South elevation

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

North elevation

Project facts

Project name: Erika and Willi's Barn

Architects: Piertzovanis Toews

Location: Albisheim, Germany

Client: Erika and Willi Thiessen

Completion: March 2024

Lead architects: Ioannis Piertzovanis, Heinrich Toews

Carpenter: Holzbau Lüdke GmbH

Project Design: Sophie Bastianutti

Structure Engineering: CDI Baumanagement GmbH

Joinery: Schreinerei Rehan

> via Piertzovanis Toews

color house Piertzovanis Toews renovation

Submitted by WA Contents

Piertzovanis Toews transforms an 18th-century barn into a colorful house in Albisheim, Germany

Germany Architecture News - Oct 14, 2024 - 11:48 589 views

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