House with an Elevated Roof by Maximilian Hartinger Architekt

A Dialogue Between Heritage and Renewal

The House with an Elevated Roof by Maximilian Hartinger Architekt is a sensitive architectural restoration that transforms a 17th-century farmhouse near Passau into a contemporary, sustainable home while preserving the soul of its historic fabric. Once deemed unsalvageable due to rot, water infiltration, and structural decay, the building was revived through a careful process of repair, reinterpretation, and respect for its layered past.

Heritage conservation here is not a nostalgic act—it becomes a living narrative about the future of sustainable architecture and the power of craftsmanship.

Rediscovering the Past: A House from 1600

When the last inhabitant—a grandmother whose family had lived there for generations—moved out, the structure seemed destined for demolition. Yet dendrochronological studies revealed the house’s origins dating back to 1600/1601, making it one of the oldest surviving farmhouses in the region.

Despite centuries of alterations, many distinctive elements endured, hinting at the original character of the dwelling. The upper floors, previously used for storing harvests and goods, were untouched by habitation—preserving their rustic integrity and offering clues for reinterpretation.

Structural Challenges and a Subtle Transformation

Over centuries, the building suffered from uneven settlements and unsteady interventions. Around 1800, part of the ground floor’s log construction was replaced with unreinforced masonry, causing the house to sink nearly half a meter downhill, giving it a noticeable tilt. Later, in the 20th century, a poorly executed roof elevation left the structure fragile and deformed.

Rather than erasing these imperfections, the architect embraced them as part of the building’s identity. The design strategy focused on inserting room-sized wooden volumes into the historic frame—structural cores that brace the house, improve insulation, and carry roof loads without overwhelming the original structure.

These interventions, defined by light-colored surfaces and precise geometry, enhance natural illumination on the upper floors and subtly reveal the dialogue between old and new.

Craftsmanship, Local Materials, and Collective Labor

The renovation process revived traditional construction methods through hands-on collaboration between architects, craftspeople, and the family themselves. Clay plasters and lime paints were mixed on-site, timber sourced from the family’s own forest, and granite extracted from nearby quarries.

This collective craftsmanship extended to every detail: forging iron components, applying oil finishes, laying lime screeds, and using firnis-burn treatments for metal protection. Through this process, the project became not only an architectural reconstruction but also a cultural and communal act of continuity.

A Sustainable Prototype for Future Renovations

The House with an Elevated Roof stands as a prototype for sustainable construction transitions—demonstrating how courage, local knowledge, and material honesty can rescue “unsalvageable” structures.

By preserving the raised roof and embedding new layers of structure within, the project creates a resilient hybrid between heritage conservation and contemporary living. Over time, patina, weathering, and family life will further blend the new with the old—ensuring the home continues to evolve naturally.

The remaining farmstead buildings are expected to undergo similar thoughtful restoration, extending the project’s legacy of renewal.

Architecture as Continuity

This project reminds us that the future of architecture lies in caring for the past. Heritage conservation, often marginalized in mainstream practice, here becomes a model for resource efficiency, cultural sustainability, and aesthetic depth.

By uniting traditional expertise with modern design sensibility, Maximilian Hartinger Architekt redefines what architectural progress can mean—less about demolition and replacement, and more about adaptation, reuse, and endurance.

Project Credits

Architects: Maximilian Hartinger Architekt Location: Tiefenbach, Germany Area: 280 m² Completion: 2025 Photographs: © Simon Burko

All photographs are works of Simon Burko