Bavarian Houzz Tour: A Childhood Home for Three Generations
This home has been revamped to house an extended family, taking inspiration from Asian multi-generational homes
What is it like to live under one roof with your mother-in-law? Practical, relaxed and pretty cool, if you ask this family from Bavaria, Germany. The six-member family, grandmother included, live in their renovated ’70s residential home. The existing 500-square-metre building was divided into two separate open-plan zones by architect Florian Schätz, creating the perfect balance of social and private spaces.
Schätz was inspired by Asia, where he had lived for many years: “The house is a blend of the Asian, family-oriented way of life, and German practicality.” he says.
Schätz was inspired by Asia, where he had lived for many years: “The house is a blend of the Asian, family-oriented way of life, and German practicality.” he says.
‘Before’ photos by Florian Schätz
Before
The childhood home of the owner – a typical 1970s German house – had to be turned into a space where three generations could live together. After her husband died, the grandmother wanted to downsize her space while staying close to her family. Moving in together was the best decision for everyone.
“Rebuilding was therefore the logical decision,” says Schätz. “The family wanted to renovate their existing home in such a way that they could all live together under one roof, while also allowing each of the three generations to enjoy their own space.”
Before
The childhood home of the owner – a typical 1970s German house – had to be turned into a space where three generations could live together. After her husband died, the grandmother wanted to downsize her space while staying close to her family. Moving in together was the best decision for everyone.
“Rebuilding was therefore the logical decision,” says Schätz. “The family wanted to renovate their existing home in such a way that they could all live together under one roof, while also allowing each of the three generations to enjoy their own space.”
“The main focus was on dividing the existing home into two separate, but integrated, zones,” says Schätz. The architect started by thoroughly analysing the property, and getting to know the residents and the possibilities for renovation. “My task is to create a synergy between the building and the plot,” he says.
In addition, the ’70s-era house was updated to the latest standards of sustainable energy use. The oil heating system was refurbished, and under-floor heating throughout the house is now powered by a solar panel.
In addition, the ’70s-era house was updated to the latest standards of sustainable energy use. The oil heating system was refurbished, and under-floor heating throughout the house is now powered by a solar panel.
After
The roof was dismantled and refitted during the renovation, and transverse gable and cubic shed dormers were added.
The roof was dismantled and refitted during the renovation, and transverse gable and cubic shed dormers were added.
Thanks to the reconstruction, the two parts of the house can be utilised separately. They are connected both inside, and by a common porch on the outside.
“The height of the porch was determined by the height of the existing building. To ensure additional barrier-free access to the grandmother’s living space, the rear of the garage was knocked through, and the apartment was fitted with a ramp on the northern side,” the architect says.
“The height of the porch was determined by the height of the existing building. To ensure additional barrier-free access to the grandmother’s living space, the rear of the garage was knocked through, and the apartment was fitted with a ramp on the northern side,” the architect says.
Before
Parts of the house, such as the narrow original foyer and staircase, were demolished during renovation.
Parts of the house, such as the narrow original foyer and staircase, were demolished during renovation.
After
The foyer was replaced by an airy and spacious entryway, which is shared by all family members.
Architect, urban studies researcher and professor Schätz was born in Bavaria, but had lived in Singapore for 10 years. He therefore decided to incorporate Asian inspiration into the design. Not only are multi-generational homes more common in Asia, but the architect also cites the influence of zen philosophy and the Japanese penchant for refined decor crafted from simple materials.
The dominant features of the new foyer are solid oak, raw steel and an exposed concrete ceiling. The flooring is a soft synthetic resin. “These harsher materials entered our design language through projects in Asia. However, the choice of materials is also reminiscent of Lower Bavarian farms and former industrial facilities in the area,” says Schätz.
The foyer was replaced by an airy and spacious entryway, which is shared by all family members.
Architect, urban studies researcher and professor Schätz was born in Bavaria, but had lived in Singapore for 10 years. He therefore decided to incorporate Asian inspiration into the design. Not only are multi-generational homes more common in Asia, but the architect also cites the influence of zen philosophy and the Japanese penchant for refined decor crafted from simple materials.
The dominant features of the new foyer are solid oak, raw steel and an exposed concrete ceiling. The flooring is a soft synthetic resin. “These harsher materials entered our design language through projects in Asia. However, the choice of materials is also reminiscent of Lower Bavarian farms and former industrial facilities in the area,” says Schätz.
“For me, materials are like the wine list in a menu. They refine the atmosphere and round out the rooms,” says Schätz. “But just as in designer clothing by Helmut Lang, individual details can contrast the style of the room without interfering with the overall effect.”
The intrusive element in this house is the hard concrete. “Concrete was always something graceful and metaphysical for me. The imprint, the cast, the shuttering, the sheathing, its colour and coolness are fascinating time after time. In combination with the oak and unprocessed steel, a keen, industrial, raw poetry emerges,” says Schätz.
The intrusive element in this house is the hard concrete. “Concrete was always something graceful and metaphysical for me. The imprint, the cast, the shuttering, the sheathing, its colour and coolness are fascinating time after time. In combination with the oak and unprocessed steel, a keen, industrial, raw poetry emerges,” says Schätz.
This foyer is connected to an open living space. A 5-metre-long oak table cantilevered on a steel post takes the centre of attention here. “Up to 16 people can be seated at the table,” says Schätz. It therefore provides space for a truly extended family.
The sliding doors, staircase and closet are made of the same oiled oak as the table.
The sliding doors, staircase and closet are made of the same oiled oak as the table.
The home’s interior fittings were made by a local carpenter and an artisanal metalworker from the region. “My architecture is planned on a global scale, but the execution is absolutely local,” says Schätz.
Before
The home’s age showed through before the architect demolished the walls and removed the panelling from the ceiling.
The home’s age showed through before the architect demolished the walls and removed the panelling from the ceiling.
After
“Revealing the concrete ceiling created a journey through time into the history of the structure, searching for its identity. The modernisation of the house allows us to explore and reveal it anew,” says Schätz. “From the outside the house still has a simple relationship with its surroundings – however, an open and timeless quality unfolds in the interior space.”
Large windows merge the outdoors and indoors. The picture window next to the sofas frames a plum tree that had been planted by the family’s grandfather.
“Revealing the concrete ceiling created a journey through time into the history of the structure, searching for its identity. The modernisation of the house allows us to explore and reveal it anew,” says Schätz. “From the outside the house still has a simple relationship with its surroundings – however, an open and timeless quality unfolds in the interior space.”
Large windows merge the outdoors and indoors. The picture window next to the sofas frames a plum tree that had been planted by the family’s grandfather.
A straight oak staircase leads from the entrance area to the upper floor, framed by black steel. Black steel was also used for the mezzanine ballustrade over the living room (left), giving it a loft-like, industrial character.
Downstairs is the shared basement, which houses a small spa area with the sauna, the laundry and the heating system. For the time being this area is not accessible, but it could be refitted with a stair lift.
Downstairs is the shared basement, which houses a small spa area with the sauna, the laundry and the heating system. For the time being this area is not accessible, but it could be refitted with a stair lift.
The private rooms of the youngest two generations are on the upper floor. “Very resilient industrial carpet stretches from the office through the children’s bedrooms and their playroom, to the dressing room and on into the bedroom in the parents’ area, located under the roof,” says Schätz.
This simple carpet was installed to keep the renovation within budget. “Since the majority of the budget was spent on the energy-efficiency refurbishment, there had to be some compromises in creative matters.”
This simple carpet was installed to keep the renovation within budget. “Since the majority of the budget was spent on the energy-efficiency refurbishment, there had to be some compromises in creative matters.”
The grandmother lives on the ground floor in the northern section of the house, with her own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living and dining space (pictured here and in the next photo). Here, most of the rooms are fitted with sliding doors and are designed to be accessible.
“This way everyone has their own private space, but the grandmother and the family can nevertheless get together at any time,” the architect says.
“This way everyone has their own private space, but the grandmother and the family can nevertheless get together at any time,” the architect says.
Pictured: the grandmother’s kitchen
“The layout of the house allows for long-term flexibility. Breaking through the ceiling would allow the grandmother’s unit to be joined with the children’s rooms on the second floor, for example. This way the house could be converted, with only a small alteration, into a two-family home,” says Schätz.
“The layout of the house allows for long-term flexibility. Breaking through the ceiling would allow the grandmother’s unit to be joined with the children’s rooms on the second floor, for example. This way the house could be converted, with only a small alteration, into a two-family home,” says Schätz.
Wooden slats enclose a balcony on the gable end. This screen provides natural climate control. “This is another design element one can find in the modern resort- and lifestyle architecture of South-East Asia,” says Schätz.
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More
Can’t get enough? Check out last week’s Lyon Houzz Tour: Striking Blue Apartment Packed With Personality
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like the story, save your favourite images and join in the conversation.
More
Can’t get enough? Check out last week’s Lyon Houzz Tour: Striking Blue Apartment Packed With Personality
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, their three children, and the grandmother
Location: Pocking, Lower Bavaria, Germany
Size: 500 square metres, on 900 square metres of land
Budget: About $864,000 (565,000 euros)
Architect: Florian Schätz of Face2o5o