The aim of the building
owner, Niklaus
Leuthold, and the architects
from AMJGS
Architektur was to implement
a renovation as close as possible to the original
condition of this building in the clinker brick style, which
is classed as worth of protection, while increasing its residential
value at the same time. The building, which was
built in 1891 in the «Gründerzeit» style, had been rebuilt
and expanded several times over the years. Various extensions
were added to it in the 1930s and 1940s. While the
exterior largely retained its original look, the interior was
gutted in the 1970s and adapted to the style of the time.
Clarification and modernisation
During the renovation, particular attention was paid to
using historical materials, construction methods and details
that were as authentic as possible. The architects
were inspired by historical examples from the same period
of construction and the surrounding area. Elements
that ensure comfort and energy efficiency, such as windows
and doors, were created new using the historical
examples as a template. However, they were given original
details such as box locks and rod locks.
When extending the building, an alternative to the original part built using solid bricks was to be created, ideally using glass. The starting point for the building was the client’s desire to create the house as a communal housing project. This prompted the search for a way for all three apartments, positioned one on top of another, to be directly connected to the garden and each other. Through the close cooperation with the heritage conservation authorities, it has been possible to create something that is in keeping with the historical period in which it was built and yet has its own independent identity. In line with the architects’ intentions, the extension made of steel and glass took inspiration from historical sources and then interpreted them in a unique way. «Its façade was to have small-scale window areas, which can be implemented very easily with the Janisol Arte profile from Jansen. It’s a great product, but you also need a metalworker who knows exactly how to handle it», Sandra König and Anja Meyer from AMJGS Architektur explain about the extension and the cooperation with Baur Metallbau.
When extending the building, an alternative to the original part built using solid bricks was to be created, ideally using glass. The starting point for the building was the client’s desire to create the house as a communal housing project. This prompted the search for a way for all three apartments, positioned one on top of another, to be directly connected to the garden and each other. Through the close cooperation with the heritage conservation authorities, it has been possible to create something that is in keeping with the historical period in which it was built and yet has its own independent identity. In line with the architects’ intentions, the extension made of steel and glass took inspiration from historical sources and then interpreted them in a unique way. «Its façade was to have small-scale window areas, which can be implemented very easily with the Janisol Arte profile from Jansen. It’s a great product, but you also need a metalworker who knows exactly how to handle it», Sandra König and Anja Meyer from AMJGS Architektur explain about the extension and the cooperation with Baur Metallbau.
It's façade was to have small-scale window areas, which can be implemented very easily with the Janisol Arte profile from Jansen. It’s a great product, but you also need a metalworker who knows exactly how to handle it.The extension was ultimately created through a process of borrowing from historical industrial buildings. The idea was to give it the feel of a workshop and the buildings of Jean Prouv and Zurich subcultures of the last three decades served as inspiration here.In this context, Janisol Arte 2.0 perfectly meets the brief of gently and aesthetically transforming a listed building into a comfortable contemporary living space.
