Old structures, new visions with RHEINZINK
Architecture in transition
Matthias Zühlke, Managing Partner at MAAS & PARTNER Architekten, remodelled and renovated his grandparents' house near Lake Aa in Münster. The project combines clean architecture with sustainable technologies and brings together his personal and professional experience. For the architect, it was a valuable opportunity to take on the perspective of a client and better understand the challenges and decisions that come with a project of this kind. His new home was therefore a very special project: "It was definitely a challenge to work with the existing building. And that means you never really know what's going to happen next."
Preservation and modernisation
The detached house designed and built by his grandfather in 1962 was in good condition and had a clear structure, so Matthias Zühlke wanted to preserve the existing building. With the aim of preserving a clear, simple architectural language, he decided to leave both old and new elements visible. The remodelling included an extensive energy refurbishment, which involved replacing the old roof with a new one. Titanium zinc from RHEINZINK in the GRANUM basalte surface quality was used in the standing seam system. The new roof, consisting of anthracite-coloured titanium zinc, integrates a 7.5 kWp photovoltaic system which, in combination with a 9.6 kWh battery, provides the energy supply.
Visually roof-integrated solar system
"At the time of planning, there was no system where the solar panels really functioned properly with the roof tiles and were aesthetically integrated. This quickly made it clear that it would have to be RHEINZINK. I also didn't want to use so many materials, just two or three that were visible from the outside. So, with the clinker brick and the black wood, we ended up with the dark titanium zinc. The solar panels are also dark to match. They can also be easily replaced with new panels if greater performance is required. All these aspects made the case for RHEINZINK," says Zühlke. The PV system can be optimally fastened to the RHEINZINK standing seam roof using the seam and module clamps that have been specially developed. To create uniformity and a harmonious overall appearance, RHEINZINK GRANUM basalte was also used on the façade.
Sustainability and self-sufficiency
The sustainable design of the building was a matter of particular importance to Zühlke. Using a brine water heat pump with near-surface geothermal energy and underfloor heating can significantly increase energy efficiency. A wood-burning stove provides additional warmth and cosiness and rounds off the design. A cistern was also positioned in the ground to collect rainwater, which can then be used as service water in the house.
Matthias Zühlke is aiming for a high degree of self-sufficiency: “I'd say we can be self-sufficient from May to September. In winter, of course, electricity has to be fed in.”
Old and new in harmony
The renovation involved gutting the house down to the shell. The removal of some walls and the insertion of a steel girder enabled the rooms to be customised to the client's requirements. Clear recognisability of old and new components was an important design element. A new, south-facing glass façade extends the living space and at the same time provides natural heating in the winter months. Inside the house, many of the original materials have been preserved, such as the old clinker brick and the concrete ceiling. The new staircase made of solid ash was rebuilt exactly to the dimensions of the old one, thus preserving the connection to the past. "It was important to me to link old and new. Old elements appear again and again. The banister on the staircase, for example, is the original one from the 1960s. At the same time, the two materials, the dark zinc and the clinker brick, separate the old and new parts of the building."
WHY GRANUM?
Grey elegance, straight lines, elegant, matt appearance, practically maintenance-free -
GRANUM offers scope for individuality and modern architecture.
Personal connection and professional insights
Matthias Zühlke points out how difficult it was to re-imagine a house that he had known all his life. "It's actually quite difficult to think about a house in a new way when you've known it all your life," he says. "You don't have that clean slate with a project like this. Of course, this restricts you and makes it difficult to think freely. At the same time, it's a good thing that this is the case. It was still a challenge. One thing that also played a part in the planning was that I wanted to tidy things up. I wanted the original ornate structures to be much cleaner. That worked out well. "So the challenge was to forget the old structures, redesign the building and still honour the existing structure. The project has given him valuable insights His decision in favour of titanium zinc from RHEINZINK is also a positive one: "I was looking for a material that could be used for the roof, façade and roof drainage. RHEINZINK then added the practical, easy-to-install PV system. I can't think of any other material that meets all these requirements."
A successful project all round
Remodelling his grandparents' house was more than just a professional project for Matthias Zühlke. It was a journey into the past and at the same time a step towards a sustainable future. By using RHEINZINK materials and incorporating modern technologies, he has succeeded in preserving and honouring his grandfather's work while at the same time making the house fit for future generations and creating a living space with a robust feel-good atmosphere for himself.
About the architect
Matthias Zühlke studied architecture at MSA | Münster School of Architecture and worked as a research assistant for structural design from 2005 to 2008. After graduating, he set up the PlanerBund office and worked on DGNB licence projects to promote sustainability in architecture. In 2009, he joined MAAS & PARTNER Architekten as a freelancer. In 2018, he became a partner and took over responsibility for the conception and development of competitions as well as projects in the residential, commercial, retail and event sectors. He is also involved in urban planning and the implementation of new technologies in the office. In 2021, he also co-founded a start-up called “syte”, which has since become the market leader in the field of property potential. The start up calculates the development potential of properties in real time.
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