Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future: Prospects for a Traditional Farmhouse

Traditional farmhouses have shaped the landscape, townscape and identity of the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria for centuries. However, due to structural changes in agriculture and changing family dynamics, many of these buildings are now empty or in poor condition. Yet these buildings have great potential due to their simple, clear structures, robustness and plenty of space. Can the transformation of these existing buildings and the reinterpretation of traditional multi-generational ways of living offer a solution to the challenges of vacancy and loss of identity in rural areas?

To meet today's housing needs, the proposal creates separate units within the existing structure that correspond to the different phases of a family's life cycle. On the ground floor there is an apartment for the elderly, and on the upper floor there is a large apartment for the main family, which can be extended as required with flexible, usable rooms. The units offer individual retreats, while communal areas such as the kitchen and spacious circulation areas encourage social interaction and provide space for old household items such as furniture or family pictures. Two central elements characterise the concept: a rammed earth figure replaces the old staircase in the centre of the house and becomes the centrepiece. It rearranges the spatial organisation, integrates the new circulation system and its external surfaces appear functional in the adjacent areas, as a kitchen, storage area or bench. In addition, the attic becomes a temporary living space, an extra option for the family or a holiday home for friends or guests. The large dormer window will be reconstructed using modern techniques to provide natural light to the roof. In addition to the gabled windows, the living space in the roof will be lit by small triangular dormers designed to blend in unobtrusively with the roof cladding. The new organisation has been designed to be subordinate to the existing structure, not to change the character of the house, but to allow flexibility for future generations. The energy efficient refurbishment is based on the targeted use of natural building materials such as clay and wood to meet environmental and design requirements. Improvements to the external wall, ground floor and roof will reduce heating requirements by around 60 per cent.