Architecture / urban planning
Sutter + Kury Architekten Part GmbB, Freiburg
Completion
2017 + 2018
Client
Gaby + Rolf Sutter
Awards
Bauwerk Schwarzwald e.V. Architecture Route 2022, Efficiency Award for Building & Modernisation, Gold Award Winner in the category Modernisation in Monument Protection
History Bärenbad
The baroque two-winged building with mansard roof, which still characterises the town today, was built around 1740. The vaulted cellar and the neighbouring base masonry of a previous building were preserved. The radium-containing 'Agathenquelle' spring in the basement was used to operate 36 baths and guest rooms with dining facilities and a chapel.
The coach house (later: Farrenstall) built in the middle of the 19th century opposite the historic entrance staircase of the Bärenbad forms a spatial end to the inner courtyard, which is visually delimited from the street by the village fountain, dated 1889, and a mighty chestnut tree.
The ensemble is a listed building according to the list of cultural monuments from October 1992. Due to changing ownership, the building developed into a renowned country inn in the post-war period. At the same time, however, urgently needed repairs were not carried out. These were no longer economically viable for a hotel business according to today's requirements. After years of vacancy, the building was therefore sold to the "Bauherrengemeinschaft Bärenbad" and the entire ensemble was repurposed and restored in line with its listed status.
Bärenbaddesign
The basic idea is for people to live together at the end of their active working lives. The principle of a house community with separately accessible flats and communal areas was realised through a redesigned building layout. Three terraced units with separate entrances and internal access were created in the former hotel area. The parlour and kitchen were largely left in their original state. Two holiday flats were created on the mansard floor above and in the attic. The staircase to access the restaurant and the holiday flats was newly constructed. A lift shaft has been prepared here for later installation. One holiday flat can be converted into living space for a carer. Each residential unit has garden areas in separate ownership; the inner courtyard is a communal area.
Restoration work, materials and techniques
The planning and realisation of the restoration of the 275-year-old building followed the principle of preserving as much of the original building fabric as possible. The numerous interior alterations that had been carried out since around 1900 were largely dismantled. One challenge was the renovation of the wooden roof structure. The mansard storey in particular, with its 33 dormers, was badly damaged. Rafters, purlins, sleepers and struts were uncovered piece by piece, examined, preserved where possible and structurally upgraded or replaced with identical structural elements in the case of advanced decay.
The installation of statically effective bracing and the thermal insulation required for the changed use was carried out under the condition that the proportions of the roof were retained. The cornices below and above the mansard floor were repaired and new parts were given the original moulding. The existing, badly damaged and no longer load-bearing wooden covering above the former dance hall was relieved by lateral timbers and a steel structure.
A large number of windows had to be replaced; wooden windows with glazing bars and a profile similar to the original windows were chosen. Historic entrance doors were refurbished and technically upgraded. The roof covering was renewed in plain clay tiles, natural red in colour with a diamond-shaped pattern. Interventions to the façades were limited to the installation of a new entrance door for residential unit I and the removal of two parapet panels to allow the installation of patio doors. New design elements included an entrance staircase with a canopy modelled on the existing hotel entrance and balconies in steel construction on the garden side.
The colour concept, which was agreed with the heritage office, makes the building stand out from the old trees with its bright, light colours. Inside, the layout of most of the rooms could be retained due to the previous use as an inn and hotel. The division into residential units required new partition walls, ceiling openings and staircase installations. The existing half-timbered walls with quarry stone infill were largely retained. The existing oak parquet flooring was retained and supplemented, sanded and oiled. The newly installed staircases and the flooring in the stairwell are finished in oiled oak. Some of the existing fir floorboards were made visible again.
History of the Farrenstall
The independent, two-storey farm building was built in 1840. It was used to supply the spa adjoining the courtyard to the north-west. Despite its chequered history of use, the building complex has been preserved to this day, retaining its distinctive character. In 1907, the entire supporting structure of the coach house was renewed following a fire in the roof truss. The modern, self-supporting wooden tong construction allowed the hay store to be used without supports. A steel girder ceiling lined with brick elements was installed above the stables. Contrary to the plans at the time, the solid quarry stone walls were largely retained. The farm building continued to be used as a store, cattle and guest stable with laundry room and wood store (which is why there is still a fireplace in the shed today). It was not until after the Second World War that the building was converted into a community-owned stable.
Design of the farm barn
The installation of a mechanical hay fork hoist required the removal of the ridge supports above the truss-tong construction. These have now been reconstructed. The historic structure of the coach house was almost completely preserved in 2018 when it was converted into two contemporary residential units in line with heritage requirements. This was made possible by the vertical division and the access to the upper floor via the higher barn entrance.
Material / energy concept Farrenstall
The spatial experience of the hay store with its mighty wooden trusses has been fully preserved through the use of transparent steel and glass constructions with open galleries. The existing supporting structure also remains visible in the wall constructions thanks to the use of wood or gypsum fibre panels. High-quality materials were used and attention was paid to the craftsmanship. The energy concept with heat pump, photovoltaics and battery storage enables the building to be operated in a resource-saving manner.
Thebottom line
The Farrenstall received a gold award from the Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Energy. The preservation and refurbishment of the ensemble in keeping with its listed status are exemplary for the town and the surrounding area and show how an architectural heritage can be utilised in a contemporary way.
