Single family House

The Building

Building pre-intervention

Building post-intervention

Building post-intervention: west facade after.jpg

The building is a detached single-family house, a two-floors neo-baroque construction with a mansard rooftop and is dated 1898. The general situation of degradation and the need to minimize energy demand collide with the important aspect of historic buildings preservation. The challenge is to achieve maximum results in both fields, opting for several high efficiency interventions, but at the same time with minimum aesthetic impact. As usual at road forks and corner houses in the Kirchenfeld district, according to the Kirchenfeld-Brunnadern building inventory, the house was designed with special care: the south-east corner of the house is characterized by a corner risalite, which is covered with the mansard roof. The house is listed in the cantonal building inventory and classified as worthy of protection (highest protection level). For this reason, any changes must obtain the approval of the Department of Historic Monuments. Due to the high protection level of the building, the goal is to achieve the highest aesthetic demand. Because of this, it was initially difficult to receive approval from the authorities. This led to the search for the best possible solution.

More Details

The Solution

Solution post-intervention

What is the Solution?

Most of the existing windows have been renovated and only a few have been replaced with a copy, due to the bad state of conservation. The existing windows have been improved. The original single glazing was replaced with the thin, krypton filled double glazing and seals for airtightness. Where improvement was not possible, the windows have been replaced with a reproduction (west facade). The historical front windows have also been renovated.

Why Does it work?

The solution improves energy performance by replacing existing windows and doors with new double-glazed windows that do not modify the appearance of the building, preserving its historical value.

PROS

1. Improving the energy performance of window frames and glazed parts with a new type of windows. 2. Preservation of the building's original appearance

CONS

1.The production and transportation of new high-performance windows involve embodied carbon, which must be balanced against operational energy savings. 2.Loss of original materials that can no longer be recovered (original windows)

Window Type before retrofit

Casement Window

Window glass type

Double

Window frame material

Wood

Window position

Outside

Shading

Outer shutter

Health issue

information not available

Technical drawings

Installation Method

Most of the existing windows have been renovated and only a few have been replaced with a copy, due to the bad state of conservation. The original single glazing was replaced with the thin, krypton filled double glazing and seals for airtightness. Where improvement was not possible, the windows have been replaced with a reproduction (west facade)

Moisture Management and Technical Compatibility

information not available

Airtightness

The original single glazing was replaced with the thin, krypton filled double glazing and seals for airtightness