Restoring Half-Timbered Homes: These Ancient Dwellings Lay Dormant
City of Bietigheim-Bissingen Wins German Timber-Frame Award for Revitalizing Historical Properties
Anna-Sophie Kächele
Bietigheim-Bissingen's old townscape, with its distinctive timber-frame buildings, remains a focal point. Their restoration is both laborious and costly, requiring attention every 30 to 40 years. Despite the challenges, there has been a revived interest in such structures since the 1970s. The recent renovation of the Schieringer Straße 16 and 18 properties, known as the Kachelsche House, has earned the city recognition from the Association of German Timber-Frame Towns.
Originally a grand residence and later a notary's office, the building dates back to 1536/37. "The challenge was to blend modernity into such an ancient house," notes Achim Wilhelm, head of Bietigheim's Housing Authority. To achieve this, innovations like fire doors, wireless switches, fire-resistant glazing, and an uninhabited top-floor apartment were implemented, while preserving the historical charm.
In the 1980s, the city undertook a renovation of the building. Between 2022 and 2024, the city corrected the mistakes made in the past, primarily focusing on the repair of the exterior timber-frame, especially the weather-exposed sides. Each room underwent careful inspection before any work began, even going to great lengths to ensure that cables weren't laid under historical Renaissance paintings. The project took 18 months to complete, finishing at the end of February 2024.
Timber-frame renovations demand careful balancing of historical preservation with contemporary adaptation. Challenges can arise in preserving the building's structure, striking a balance between preservation and modernization, providing adequate insulation, and introducing energy-efficient systems while maintaining the historical aesthetics. Incorporating modern design elements, enhancing the interior, and adapting the building for contemporary use are all part of the modernization process.
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German Timber-Frame Prize
Nineteen cities submitted their projects for the German Timber-Frame Prize, which is awarded every five years by the Association of German Timber-Frame Towns. This year, winners included 15 cities, many belonging to municipalities or so-called "public hand" like churches and similar institutions. The jury of representatives from monument conservation and the association awarded four prizes, three to the "public hand," and four recognitions, as well as six prizes to the group of "private owners."
- Investing in timber-frame properties can offer a unique blend of historical charm and contemporary living, as demonstrated by the Kachelsche House in Bietigheim-Bissingen.
- Beyond mere property restoration, these projects often incorporate modern design elements, enhancing the interior and adapting the buildings for contemporary use, as seen in the recent renovation of the Schieringer Straße 16 and 18.
- The German Timber-Frame Prize, awarded by the Association of German Timber-Frame Towns, recognizes such initiatives that balance the preservation of historical structures with modern adaptations, promoting a seamless integration of tradition and innovation in home-and-garden, real-estate, and lifestyle projects.
