Preserving Tradition – Shaping the Future
How can an 18th-century historic building be brought up to modern energy standards? This was the question the client asked himself when he discovered an extraordinary farmhouse in 2020 – initially estimated to have been built around 1800, but later identified as even older.
The core structure probably dates back to 1750, and every stone and beam tells a story of craftsmanship and historical building tradition. The aim of the renovation was to preserve this valuable substance while creating modern living and working comfort. For all visible components – from new beams to other wooden elements – a conscious decision was made to use durable oak. The original window frames were also extensively restored to preserve their authentic character. Even the foundations of a former outbuilding, discovered during the renovation, were integrated into the design and now serve as a subtle reminder of the farm's history.
"During the energy-efficient renovation of buildings under heritage protection, integrating modern technology can be a challenge. With the WATERKOTTE heat pump, we succeeded in mastering this task exceptionally well."
Olga Gottschalk, Architect and Building Owner
The Challenge of Energy-Efficient Renovation in Heritage Buildings
Installing a heat pump in a building under heritage protection requires sensitivity and technical expertise. The external appearance must remain unchanged, while high efficiency standards still need to be achieved.
The solution: a WATERKOTTE geothermal heat pump that draws its energy from six boreholes, each 120 meters deep. These were installed on the barn side of the building, ensuring that the historic appearance was fully preserved. In combination with a photovoltaic system, an overall energy concept that is almost self-sufficient was created. Inside, space-saving integrated WATERKOTTE apartment stations provide heating and hygienic domestic hot water. Installation within the wall is not only visually unobtrusive but also increases efficiency.
Modern Cooling – Seamlessly Integrated
Particularly impressive is the discreet integration of the cooling function. Subtle cooling loops are concealed behind the ceiling structure, delivering modern living comfort without compromising the historic appearance. The façade and roof remain completely unchanged—a decisive factor for the heritage authority.
By contrast, the benefits for the occupants are clearly noticeable: comfortably tempered rooms in summer and efficient heating in winter. Summer cooling operation offers an additional advantage—it regenerates the ground probes, further increasing the system’s efficiency during the heating season.
Technology That Works Quietly in the Background
From the perspective of the specialist planners as well, the project meets the highest standards. Thanks to the four-pipe principle, the storage systems and apartment stations enable hygienic domestic hot water preparation while providing cooling at the same time.
The 54 kW apartment stations, elegantly integrated into flush-mounted cabinets, deliver comfortable flow rates for a high standard of living. The 40 kW heat pump with tandem compressors flexibly modulates between 50 and 100 percent output and operates with particularly high energy efficiency. The entire system functions reliably in the background—and this is precisely what makes the project so special: modern technology blends invisibly with historic architecture. The character of the building is preserved, while comfort is in no way inferior to that of a new build.
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