Unveiling the Allure of “Rotklinkertraum” in Hamburg-Blankenese: A Must-See on Instagram!

Preserving the charm of the historic red brick villa and adding a modern extension for maximum comfort: This was the goal of the renovation project including an extension in Hamburg-Blankenese. After a good two years of renovation and refurbishment including conversion and extension, the time had come in June 2024: The Hauschildt family was able to move into their new home, a restored red brick villa in the Hamburg district of Blankenese.

Tranquil half-timbered fishermen’s houses and pre-war villas characterize the appearance of this popular residential area on the Lower Elbe. The famous “Hamburg Coffee Mill” with its almost square floor plan, cube-like building shape, clinker-clad facade and relatively steep tent or hipped roof may have been the inspiration for the existing building, which was extensively redesigned and expanded with the addition of an annex for the new home of the family of four.

With the move, her long-held “red brick dream” finally came true. The landlady, Natascha Hauschildt, keeps a construction diary under this name on Instagram. It offers followers exciting insights into the construction progress and sheds light on the craftsmanship behind it.

Light and lighting also play an important role in another sense – especially for the modern extension on the north side of the red brick villa built in 1933. The aim here was to let as much natural daylight as possible into the interior, not only through side windows, but also with the help of four skylights from the Bielefeld manufacturer Glasolux.

Deviation from the prevailing architectural style creates new freedoms

This was only possible through an approved deviation from the Hanseatic city’s locally valid “Design Preservation Statute”. Peer Schwenke from the Hamburg architectural firm scoopstudio was commissioned by the owners to plan all construction measures and looks back:

“The original framework stipulated preserving the architectural character typical of Blankenese and, in addition to the intended colors for the facades, also included a gable or hipped roof with a pitch of at least 20 degrees, including for the extension. However, this would have created a strange visual impression – as if a smaller version of the villa had been placed in front of the house.”

“And so the application was submitted and approved to design the extension in a different architectural style to the main building. For this reason, we were able to provide this extension with a flat roof, which, in addition to the pebble and green strips, also offers enough space for the four skylights.”

“This enabled us to let this part of the building on the north side shine with plenty of natural daylight.” At the suggestion of scoopstudio, the extension was built using timber frame construction with a solid wood ceiling and a finely structured wooden shingle facade. The clients immediately agreed to use an ecological construction method with completely untreated and recyclable wood.

Structural changes from the post-war years reversed

Extensive renovations were carried out on the existing two-storey building, which had already been rebuilt after the Second World War. The owners at the time divided the house into two residential units, which is why the staircase, for example, was relocated. A key step was to combine these two units again as part of the renovation.

Red brick villa with four skylights modernized by Glasolux / © glasolux.com

As a result, not only were many of these changes reversed, but the entire house was given a new look, as Peer Schwenke explains: “While the staircase used to be rather hidden, we have created a spacious, central space by opening the ceiling to the upper floor, among other things. Here, the free staircase now takes on a prominent role.”

“With this trick, we have established communication between the floors and – especially in combination with the current extension – achieved a completely new spatial quality for living in the approximately 300 square meters.” An extension built in the late 1980s was demolished in the process and the old oil heating was replaced by a new, modern heat pump, which now supplies, among other things, underfloor heating.

The living room, staircase and cloakroom as well as children’s and guest rooms have found their place in the renovated part of the building. A wide lateral glass joint forms the connection between the old and new buildings, which contain the large kitchen-diner and the parents’ living area. This side glazing and the SkyVision Fixed skylight from Glasolux together ensure a light-flooded transition between the two building sections.

Minimalist look, suitable for high-quality residential buildings

“This roof window creates a very special light incidence and thus also a special atmosphere. Thanks to its external element dimensions of 67 centimeters wide and 3.25 meters long, it has an unusual format. We had already worked with Glasolux products a few times before and had good experiences with them because they can be manufactured very flexibly to the desired size.”

“While other suppliers can only supply square windows, we had a lot of freedom when planning for our customers. We also really appreciate the fact that the frames are barely visible from below. This minimalist look is particularly suitable for modern, high-quality residential buildings,” says Peer Schwenke.

The master bedroom in the extension was also fitted with a Glasolux skylight, namely the SkyVision Linear Ecoline variant, which consists of two modules and measures 950 x 4,180 mm in total (external element dimensions). Placed directly above the head of the bed, it offers a clear view of the starry sky at night.

The two modules can be opened easily thanks to the integrated motor control. “We moved in in early summer and have already enjoyed using it, because the light breeze that gently flows through the bedroom is very pleasant,” says Natascha Hauschildt. During the day, a honeycomb pleated blind provides shade and cooling when needed.

Precious daylight gained through skylights

Because the extension building faces north, daylight is particularly valuable in the bathroom there. Therefore, in addition to the conventional window in the house wall, there is also a SkyVision Comfort Ecoline skylight, which can also be opened using a chain motor.

At least as important is the almost identical model in the dressing room next to the master bedroom, where the skylight is the only source of natural light – and in the opinion of the homeowners, this is essential in order to feel completely comfortable in their own four walls. Natascha and Mario Hauschildt are very happy with the choice made by the architectural firm.

“We were not familiar with these solutions, but we trusted the architect completely. And it was the right decision! The windows look simply wonderful – high-quality and stable, but not cumbersome, just very elegant.” Even though the revitalization of the red brick villa took a little longer than planned, the homeowners are very happy with the result: “The red brick dream lives on!”

Source / Photos: glasolux.com

Here ⁤are ⁤some PAA (People Also Ask) questions related to the title⁤ “Preserving the Charm of Historic ‍Red Brick Villas with Modern Extensions”:

Preserving​ the Charm ⁣of​ Historic Red ‍Brick Villas with Modern‍ Extensions

The allure of ⁢historic red brick villas lies ‌in their unique character and charm, which⁤ can be challenging to preserve ⁤while incorporating modern ​extensions for maximum comfort. A recent​ renovation project in Hamburg-Blankenese has successfully achieved this balance, showcasing the potential of combining‍ traditional architecture with modern design elements.

The Renovation Project

The project involved the restoration of a 1930s red brick⁤ villa and the ⁢addition of ⁤a modern extension. The goal was to preserve the villa’s historic charm while creating a ⁤comfortable‍ and modern living space for‌ the Hauschildt family. The renovation⁣ process took approximately two years to complete, with the ⁣family finally moving ⁢into their new⁣ home in June 2024.

Deviation from Traditional Architectural Style

One of the key challenges faced by the architects ‌was​ deviating from the traditional architectural style of the villa’s neighborhood. The original framework ⁤stipulated preserving the architectural character ⁣typical of Blankenese, which would have resulted

How can homeowners successfully blend modern extensions with the historic charm of a red brick villa?

Preserving the Charm of Historic Red Brick Villas with Modern Extensions

When it comes to renovating a historic red brick villa, one of the biggest challenges is finding a balance between preserving its original charm and incorporating modern comforts. The Hauschildt family’s renovation project in Hamburg-Blankenese serves as a prime example of how to achieve this balance. After two years of renovation and refurbishment, the family was able to move into their new home, a restored red brick villa that seamlessly blends its historic roots with modern amenities.

The Importance of Preserving Historic Character

The red brick villa, built in 1933, is a testament to the architectural style typical of Blankenese, with its tranquil half-timbered fishermen’s houses and pre-war villas. The famous “Hamburg Coffee Mill” with its square floor plan, cube-like building shape, clinker-clad facade, and steep tent or hipped roof may have been the inspiration for the existing building. To preserve this historic character, the renovation project aimed to restore the villa’s original features while incorporating modern elements that would enhance its livability.

Deviation from the Prevailing Architectural Style Creates New Freedoms

To achieve this balance, the architects at scoopstudio obtained approval to deviate from the Hanseatic city’s locally valid “Design Preservation Statute”. This allowed them to design the extension in a different architectural style to the main building, creating a flat roof that would provide ample space for four skylights from the Bielefeld manufacturer Glasolux. This enabled the extension to shine with plenty of natural daylight, creating a seamless transition between the old and new structures.

Structural Changes from the Post-War Years Reversed

Extensive renovations were carried out on the existing two-story building, which had already been rebuilt after the Second World War. The owners at the time divided the house into two residential units, which is why the staircase, for example, was relocated. A key step was to combine these two units again as part of the renovation.

Designing for Comfort and Sustainability

The extension was built using timber frame construction with a solid wood ceiling and a finely structured wooden shingle facade. The clients agreed to use an ecological construction method with completely untreated and recyclable wood, ensuring that the renovation project not only preserved the villa’s historic charm but also minimized its environmental impact.

Minimalist Look, Suitable for High-Quality Residential Buildings

The resulting design is a testament to the power of minimalist architecture, where clean lines,