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¯I site plan
plan: IFUB* I¯

House W


Renovation and conversion of a detached house into three apartments

Location: Lake constance area

Year: 2021-2023

Team IFUB*: Johannes Krohne

Together with:
Thomas Wissing (energy consulting), Holzbau Schmäh GmbH (execution planning timber construction)

Client: private

Craftspeople:
Holzbau Schmäh GmbH (timber construction - general contractor), Alfred Keller GmbH (plumbing, heating), Lehm-Bau.net (wall heating, clay plaster), Malerbetrieb Maier (painting work), Schreinerei Monkos (wooden terrace), Baggerbetrieb Straßburger (paving work)

In press: 05/2024 The house
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¯I South View
photo: DAS HAUS/Markus Traub I¯
A detached house from the 1970s, as we know it a million times over. Several generations had used the house, it had been rented out, but had also stood empty for some time. A detailed as-built analysis revealed that not only did the façade need to be insulated in line with the times, but the roof truss, which was contaminated with wood preservatives, also needed to be replaced. The building services were also getting on in years. And yet, there were many components and elements that were worth preserving and still in good condition. In order to finance such a major renovation, it was not only necessary to conserve materials, but also

a clever floor plan concept.

The first floor with street access and the basement with garden access became a two-storey family apartment for the owners. The old roof truss was disposed of and two additional units were created for renting out on the upper floor. This measure not only helps with financing, but also creates urgently needed new living space.
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¯I Before renovation
photo: IFUB* I¯
The

existing house

before the conversion. Not only did the roof have a damaged roof truss and crumbling insulation, but it was also built without a jamb, making it difficult to use. This floor was also the only one with a beautiful view of the valley and lake, but only had a small skylight. Clearly, a solution was sought and found here.
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¯I East View
Photo: DAS HAUS/Markus Traub I¯
The house now faces south with

a view of the valley.

The new top floor with the two additional residential units has a south-facing cantilevered roof terrace, which also provides shade in summer and creates an exciting building shape. For the large family apartment on the ground floor and basement, there is not only a terrace on the lower floor, but also direct garden access with a terrace on the upper floor.
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¯I South View
Photo: DAS HAUS/MArkus Traub I¯
On the south side, new windows were installed in the existing openings, some of which were enlarged downward to capture solar gains. At the same time, the overhanging upper floor and the existing balcony provide shade from the steep sun in the hot summer months. A special feature is that the old balcony was retained in its original form. This not only saves costs and resources, but also creates a unique

aesthetic of old and new.
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¯I roof terrace
Photo: DAS HAUS/Markus Traub I¯
The two upper units share a spacious

roof terrace

with fantastic views of the valley. From here, you can see as far as Lake Constance. Gravel was chosen as the flooring, partly to create the impression of a garden and partly because it is inexpensive and easy to maintain. The construction for attaching sun sails was also considered when designing the railings, and a parapet as high as a seat ensures a pleasant atmosphere even without your own balcony furniture.
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¯I North View
Photo: DAS HAUS/Markus Traub I¯
Optimal use was made of the hillside location. This means that only two storeys are visible from the northern side of the street. The new external staircase provides access to the two new units on the top floor and also serves as a canopy for the lower entrance door. The façade visually connects the new top floor with the well-insulated old building. Also clearly visible here: the entire roof was covered with photovoltaics, which also power the air-to-water heat pump for heating and hot water. Overall, the

KfW Efficiency House 70

standard was achieved.
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¯I Facade
photo: DAS HAUS/Markus Traub I¯
For the

façade,

formwork made from local pine was used in two versions. The outer skin of the house is clad with a robust, rough and untreated inverted formwork. The cut-outs such as the entrance, roof terrace, balconies and the southern terrace, on the other hand, i.e. all the surfaces that are frequently touched or leaned against, were finished smooth, planed and glazed white.
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¯I Kitchen
Photo: DAS HAUS/Markus Traub I¯

The new kitchen

is the heart of the large family home and has been arranged on the lower floor with direct access to the garden. Not only was a new sitting window created for better lighting, but the window to the garden was also enlarged to floor level and fitted with large sliding doors. This transformed a basement room into a wonderfully bright and spacious room with direct access to the outside.
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¯I Kitchen
Photo: DAS HAUS/Markus Traub I¯
A special feature is the

variable cooking island.

One half of the cooking island is mounted on castors to allow for different furnishings depending on the season, lighting and mood. The mobile element can even be moved onto the terrace to cook outdoors - a gas stove with a set gas cylinder makes it possible.
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¯I Kitchen
Photo: DAS HAUS/Markus Traub I¯
The

choice of materials

in the new kitchen and living room is a prime example in many respects. Lightly soaped solid silver fir floorboards were used for the flooring. These lie on underfloor heating in a dry construction system made of wood fiber without cement. The additional wall heating, embedded in thick clay plaster, ensures a comfortable atmosphere - both in terms of temperature and humidity. When the suspended ceilings were demolished, exposed concrete ceilings with raw wooden formwork were uncovered. These were left visible and thus not only creating higher rooms but also providing a modern flair. It goes without saying that the kitchen furniture was also created ecologically. Spruce three-ply panels were painted with colored linseed oil on the fronts and the carcasses were transparently oiled. The worktops were chosen to match the use. A stainless steel gastro plate as a wet area with sink. Natural stone for the oven for baking and kneading. Solid maple by the stove for cutting and working directly on.
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¯I Living room
photo: IFUB* I¯

The living room

is directly connected to the kitchen via an open passageway and is designed in the same style.
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¯I Bathroom
Photo: DAS HAUS/Markus Traub I¯
In addition to the kitchen, living room, utility and storage room and a small sauna, a

bathroom

was also housed in the basement.
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¯I Children Room
photo: IFUB* I¯
The bedrooms for children and parents are located on the upper floor. Here, too, there is a large

seating window.

A special feature is the windows that open outwards. This allows you to hang out comfortably in the open window during the summer.
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¯I Bedroom
Photo: DAS HAUS/Markus Traub I¯
On the upper floor, we also tested what the minimum space requirement for a bedroom could be. There is room for a double bed and storage space in

under 7m².

The room is well-lit and ventilated thanks to the window at sitting height and you can directly access the balcony. Nothing feels cramped here; rather the opposite. Thanks to the perfectly fitted bed, the walls invite you to lean against them. Babies can hardly fall out here either. The whole room radiates comfort.
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¯I Interior doors and bathroom
Photo: IFUB* I¯
The veneered

interior doors

from the existing building were preserved and refurbished. In combination with new, modern materials, they develop their own special aesthetic.
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¯I Flooring
Photo: DAS HAUS/Markus Traub I¯
Wherever possible, the original materials were retained. For example, the

parquet floors

on the upper floor, which also harmonize wonderfully with the new fir floorboards.
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¯I Workroom
Photo: DAS HAUS/Markus Traub I¯
Two additional units were created on the newly added

top floor.

They were designed and structured in such a way that they can function as apartments, as well as offices or practice rooms. Flexibility of use is a recurring principle in the IFUB* plans.
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¯I ceiling
Photo: DAS HAUS/Markus Traub I¯
The fact that the new structure was built using

timber construction

is also visible on the top floor. The exterior walls are clad on the inside with spruce cladding. In addition to the large windows to the balcony, skylights ensure good ventilation and direct sunlight at different times of the day.
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¯I Floor Plan Basement
plan: IFUB* I¯

Floor Plan Basement
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¯I floor plan Ground Floor
plan: IFUB* I¯

floor plan Ground Floor
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¯I floor plan loft
plan: IFUB* I¯

Floor Plan loft
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¯I Elevation North
Plan: IFUB* I¯

Elevation North
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¯I Elevation East
plan: IFUB* I¯

Elevation East
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¯I Elevation South
plan: IFUB* I¯

Elevation South
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¯I Elevation West
PLAN: IFUB* I¯

Elevation West
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¯I Section DD
PlaN: IFUB* I¯

Section DD