0131 Antivilla by Brandlhuber: A Former Lingerie Factory Reinvented as a Lakeside Retreat
The renovation of the former lingerie factory was completed back in 2014 by the German architect and urban planner Arno Brandlhuber. A personal project now containing many particular functions as a studio and a residential building. Located southwest of Berlin at Krampnitzsee, it is now functioning as his own private home and lakeside retreat.
The abandoned building was not appealing for future investors due to the high demolition costs. Instead of demolishing the former factory, it has gone through an extensive renovation transformed from an old lingerie factory to a 500 m2 spacious house. It questions the relationship between building regulations and standards, energy efficiency together with the idea of re-use and adaptive living.
To save costs, the façade was covered with shotcrete. Additionally, a new roof was constructed supported by a central concrete core. The core, containing a bathroom, kitchen, and spaces for a sauna and fireplace, was inserted on the second floor. The area can be zoned by simple, transparent curtains according to the actual climate needs. In the summertime, the curtains are retreated only to a 10 m2 bedroom in the spacious open loft, while in Winter the heated area makes only 60 m2 of the whole floor area which includes moving the bed closer to the open fire. The curtains, therefore, preserve the generous spatial impression, while allowing flexible climatic conditions. The adjoining maintenance stairway gives access to the roof via a hydraulic roof hatch. On the ground floor, the three spaces used initially for deliveries, storage, and garage were kept structurally the same.
Five-meter-wide openings in the existing walls express the physical presence of the initial structure. The original window openings on the two long sides of the house were kept exactly the same. Inspired by Claude Faraldo’s experimental film, Themroc (1973), big holes were punched into the walls facing the lake and forest, replacing the existing windows on that facade, to gain maximum openness and exposure to the landscape.
The interior space is characterized by monochromatic surfaces. The original brick structure, which had been plastered over with an elegant grey mortar, was preserved in the new interior. Similarly, the exterior surface, constructed initially with rough plaster, was simply sealed using grey lime sludge. The traces of the old building, therefore, remain in its new iteration, visible in the varying shades of grey and textures. The minimal furnishing emphasizes the raw and open spaces while acting as a harmonious contrast to its surroundings. Iconic chairs, various design objects.
All images by Erica Overmeer
