Cavalier House Meinbrexen

Restoration and extension of a landmarked building. Reduction of energy consumption, use of renewable energy sources, nature and monument conservation.

The manor and his individual buildings, originating from the 17th century, are listed as historic ensemble. Structural alterations must not be visible from the courtyard. The cavalier house that has to be restored is therefore extended with a veranda towards the moat that surrounds the entire building ensemble.

PROJECT DATA

Baroque manor complex, main building with cavalier houses

Cavalier house, northern view, original state

Moat

Steel building installation with screw- and push-in-connections, pile-foundation in the moat

The seasons and the weather conditions are defining the light and colour characteristic of the interior

The solid exterior wall of the old building is cooling the interior during summer and stores the warmth of the incident sunlight (Photograph © Klemens Ortmeyer)

The new construction uses the evaporative cooling of the moat during summer.
In the cooler months ground water is used as heat source (heat pump). (Photograph © Klemens Ortmeyer)

Broadleaved trees provide shade in summer; during winter they allow the sun’s rays to pass


Program	Restoration and extension of a historic cavalier house as residential house
Status	Realisation
Location	Manor of Meinbrexen-Lauenförde, Germany
Area	TSA 330 m2 , USA 280 m2
Construction	Steel frame construction 2.2 x 4.5 m, aluminium-glass facade
Sustainability	Resource register of all materials (quantity, reusability and recyclability). Self-sufficient heat pump. Use of evaporative cooling of the moat. Function of the annex as a thermal buffer. Highly insulating glass facade, reflection of heat rays. Minimized circulation areas. Reuse of materials from the old building substance.
Services	Program and location analyses, artistic concept, technical concept, design planning, realisation, construction supervision
Date	2004
Awards	KfW Award (“Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau”: Reconstruction Loan Corporation), European housing, 2004 German “Verzinkerpreis” for architecture and metal design, 2006

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