To maintain as much as possible while responding to the requirements of contemporary living, a bold intervention that shows respect for the historic building. These were the main aims for the project of “Mareinhof.”

The application of this fundamental idea has led to a fantastic result, both in regards to the interior space as well as the exterior preservation of the historic farmhouse: while the interior of the building has been changed radically, the overall appearance of the building, and its relationship to the surrounding context, have been preserved. 

“Mareinhof” is an old farmhouse surrounded by apple orchards in the Venosta Valley. Throughout the project we treated the historic building like an “old lady” which in her old age must be treated with respect. We wanted to maintain her overall appearance, without, however, being too cautious. Like in many other renovation projects, the need for more natural light and an open space layout were recurring themes.

The first floor, once divided into small and dark rooms, has been gutted and reorganised completely. The new living area boasts a double height space, allowing natural light to flood in through the glazed gable. The living area is characterized by the exposed wooden beams and newly added steel structure. Spruce wood panelling and polished concrete are the main materials used throughout the whole apartment. Lastly, the loft space in the attic, allows for a separate sleeping area and terrace embedded into the sloping roof, thus creating an intimate and private exterior space for the family.