Conversion of Appenzeller building with concealed construction method

The Appenzell country house, built in the traditional "Strickbau" (layered wood) style, was upgraded energetically and adapted to modern living standards. The 120-year-old layered-wood walls, previously hidden behind faded façade panels, were uncovered and made visible again.

The roof was stripped to the timber structure, reinforced, and fitted with a new tongue-and-groove lining and insulated roof build-up. An integrated photovoltaic system was later installed.

Damaged floors were replaced with new hollow-box ceiling elements. Due to their height, the basement and upper floor ceilings were repositioned to achieve a minimum room height of 1.96 m. Several new load-bearing walls were added. The staircase required an offset layout due to limited headroom.

The façade received sky-blue fibre-cement cladding and new aluminium-wood windows. Traditional detailing such as blind frames and mullions was preserved. Apprentices gained valuable experience, highlighted by the independently built entrance windbreak.