Orangery

Sedimentation
 

A former garage adjacent to a Wilhelminian-style villa has been transformed into an orangery. The brickwork was largely preserved and cast into its new form using in-situ concrete. Like sedimentary layers, the varying textures of the surfaces remain visible. Whitewashed in monochrome lime paint, the structure becomes a unified whole. The transparent, UV-permeable roof follows the principles of greenhouse construction. Drainage is provided by a long gutter that slowly fills with water during rain and allows it to trickle into a historic granite basin set apart from the building. A wide facade opening with folding glass panels allows the interior to open up generously in the summer. The villa, courtyard, orangery, and garden combine to form a garden retreat that can be used in a variety of ways in any weather. A square window offers selective views of the lush garden from the inside. Steel cables on the facade serve as a trellis for climbing plants, allowing nature to gradually reclaim the building over time.
The interior of the building also remains “brute”. The building operates without heating and utilizes the solar gains from the roof during the cooler months. Hatches in the roof membrane, controlled by weather sensors, regulate the indoor climate. The few necessary utility lines are routed visibly along the walls. A lightweight curtain rod, which also serves as a cable tray, allows the interior to be zoned and creates a visual filter to the outside. A stainless steel kitchen unit is the only fixed piece of furniture.