Preserving, refurbishing and renovating is now an indispensable contribution to sustainable development in the construction industry. Preserving and professionally renovating existing buildings reduces the consumption of resources and CO2 emissions many times over compared to demolition and new construction and helps to save grey energy - above all by renovating with traditional, building-physically adapted, healthy materials and building materials.
This requires in-depth knowledge of the correct handling of old, historic buildings, whether they are protected as monuments or not. Refurbishment and conversion therefore requires in-depth knowledge of the building's history as well as historically used building materials. The aim should be to preserve as much of the substance as possible and only intervene where the technical, energy and design quality can be improved in a sustainable, structurally and ecologically correct manner. If necessary, the new use must be adapted to the old building or perhaps even changed. The spirit and architectural value of the building can be visually experienced by preserving historical elements, thus creating a unique atmosphere for users, residents and visitors. The exemplary projects shown here are characterised by their high architectural, design and spatial quality as well as their sensitive handling of the building fabric, which is characterised by a high level of expertise.
The Schwarzwaldhof (single-roofed farmhouse) combines everything under one roof - house, stable and barn. Its low-pitched roof protects people and animals from wind and weather. As most of these single-roofed farmsteads are now obsolete in their former function as farms, many committed owners and developers are modernising their Black Forest farmsteads and securing them with new concepts, for example for tourist purposes as holiday homes, event venues or inns.
But it is not only the imposing farmsteads that are increasingly becoming the focus of developers and undergoing convincing renovations or conversions - even outbuildings, barns and railway stations that seem inconspicuous at first glance. Here you will find good examples of how modern architecture can harmonise with existing structures and at the same time create sustainable synergies.
