The assignment: A small country house built using the layered wood (Strickbau) technique typical of the Appenzellerland region, without an attached barn, was to be renovated to improve energy efficiency and meet modern living standards. The wooden structure was barely visible, hidden behind faded, yellowed facade panels. The Strickbau walls, dating back more than 120 years, were to be exposed again on the inside.
Roof structure with insulation
The entire roof was demolished except for the rafter, which had to be strengthened to support the new roof loads. Above this, the conversion team installed tongue-and-groove spruce formwork as an interior finish and a roof structure with insulation, to which an in-roof photovoltaic system was later attached.
New ceilings, walls and stairs
The floorboards, which were rotten in places, were removed and new ceilings with hollow box beams were installed. Due to the higher element height of 140 mm, the basement ceiling and the top floor ceiling had to be moved to achieve a room height of at least 1.96 m on each floor. New static interior and exterior walls had to be erected in some places. Planing the new staircase proved to be a challenge for the staircase builder, as the flights of stairs had to be staggered due to the low head height.
Sky-blue facade
The newly insulated exterior facade was clad with sky-blue Eternit panels and fitted with new aluminium-wood windows in metal frames. The Office for Spatial Development of the Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden ensured that the bands of windows were fitted with the blind frames, crossbars and sash bars typical of the local area.
Historical construction methods
The challenging tasks and the historical construction methods involved made this a particularly interesting project for experienced conversion specialists, but it also served as a hands-on demonstration of historical building techniques and renovation work for the apprentice carpenters. For the trainees, the highlight of the project was that they were solely responsible for the cut-outs, joining and erection.
