THE SHOEMAKER’S FARMHOUSE IN ALT-RIEM A shoemaker’s farmhouse was built in Alt-Riem near Munich in the 18th century. Almost completely derelict and listed under monumental protection, it was purchased by Stefan F. Höglmaier in 2013. He himself takes on the challenging transformation of this historical farmhouse, creating a pioneering example of how to handle monuments. In collaboration with the architect Peter Haimerl, the house is spectacularly transformed into a two-family home.
THE ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT The architectural concept is based on two premises: preserving the historical structure while simultaneously introducing spatial innovation. “Only” one defining, space-creating element is thus incorporated: a concrete cube, rotated by 45 degrees, inserted into the attic, which is based on the building’s geometry and extends along its entire length. Within this cube, which is placed on a corner, is an ultra-modern unit in the property’s former stables. Outside the cube there is a second unit, which closely references the existing building, maintains historical elements as much as possible and makes them palpable. As the concrete cube is staggered from north to south, the building’s room sections interlock with the cube’s elements.
The original state The so-called shoemaker’s farmhouse, a small farmer’s property typical for the area around Munich, was built in about 1750 as part of a farm with stables and sheds. In its heyday it provided space for both shoemaking and a small farm with animals. Today, the farm is the last remaining piece of evidence of rural architectural culture in the centre of Alt-Riem, the original external appearance of which is still to a largely preserved.
Condition before the conversion Before the conversion, almost all portable building components and door panels in the living quarters, as well as the floors on the ground floor, had disappeared due to vandalism. Of the former economic wing in the north east, the only thing that remained under a 45 degree roof with collar beams was an empty shell. Installations and floors belonging to the stable also could no longer be used at the start of the conversion phase.
Maximum preservation of structure The existing structure was maintained and labelled as such wherever it was structurally feasible. This is evident on the façade, but above all inside the living quarters in the timbered walls and wooden ceilings. Their numerous layers of paint reflect the colour fashions throughout the centuries past. As a result, the walls were not covered in a standard, homogeneous and preserving coat of paint. The wooden walls were largely restored and are now characteristic coloured elements in the living quarters. Any existing doors and windows, as well as shutters, were maintained - any that were missing were reconstructed.
Structural intervention Prior to the conversion phase, the stable and roof inside the building were destroyed and the barn was largely hollowed out. As a result, a horizontal concrete prism in compliance with the house’s structure was constructed in these areas, placed on its edge with a square surface as its base. The two top side surfaces of the installation form a 45 degree angle to the inside of the gabled roof. The concrete installation extends along the entire length of the building. The bottom surfaces can successively fold upwards as needed, and structure the living space. In the south western part, the installation is reduced to a prism with a right-angled triangle as the footprint.
The installation of the concrete prism creates two different apartments:
The apartment in the former living quarters under the new concrete prism
One of the two apartments is located in the living quarters and in the former stable area of shoemaker’s farmhouse, underneath the inserted concrete prism. The spatial structure of the former farmhouse maintained. The rooms were completely restored. The old front parlour, Flez (entrance hall) and sleeping chambers are on the ground and upper floor. A generous open-plan kitchen in the former stable under the concrete prism and a modern concrete bathroom above it expand the historical living area with contemporary architecture.
The apartment inside the new concrete prism
The second apartment is inside the concrete prism which is located in the former barn. The concrete prism’s folded-down sides generate living spaces on different levels, with several different room heights. For example, one floor-to-ceiling room segment opens up for the dining area. This is flanked by the kitchen plateau under the mezzanine living room, a lower level in between. From there the occupant can walk through the room from level to level, up into the living room and bedroom areas. An open fireplace on the mezzanine level is accompanied by reclining surfaces on the concrete body’s folded down sides. Its sides and the installations inside the prism are clad in felt and absorb noise.
