And the End is always open.

The end is always open, is the thesis. Through a theoretical deepening and a practical exploration, a possible way is shown how a transformation of the protected, historic building substance can lead to a preservation of value. This discussion strengthens an understanding of architecture that is constantly changing and capable of further development, and highlights the necessary conditions for this. Finally, the work raises questions about the “art of preservation” and authorship - is it a matter of protecting an image or an idea inherent in the object and is there an original authorship?

The preceding narrative is the story of the Appenzellerhaus. My research shows that the historic house has the characteristic of being reused and rebuilt. Transformability is a value that is inherent to the Appenzellerhaus with its type of construction and allows for new interpretations. In addition to historical research, collages were used to change and reinterpret the existing building in order to constantly raise new questions. In addition to the historical analysis and the collages, a building from the historical site was selected and reconstructed on a scale of 1:20 in order to understand where we can intervene. The model is therefore a permanent construction site where new possibilities can be tried out on an ongoing basis. What is added should correspond to the same logic as what already exists. The project and the model are not intended to represent completion, but rather to create an awareness of an intermediate state, of something that can always be developed further. This awareness is reflected in the constructive examination of details, in the way in which existing components are changed, repositioned or removed and how new components are inserted or added, but also in the usage scenarios that the changes can entail - always with the openness to be transformed again. Transformation is thus based on a radical perception of what already exists. An existing object has been further developed, reinterpreted and supplemented on different levels by experiencing it with one's own hand and understanding the history of the development of the constructive conditions, as well as by observing existing structures. The possibilities for transformation will continue to be inherent in the house and offer the opportunity for future changes and reinterpretations.