Transformation of an old fisherman’s house
By the coastline in Espergærde, North Zealand lies an old fisherman's house from 1898. A fisherman died at sea and local fundraising made it possible to build the small house for his bereaved wife. Today, more than 120 years later, the fisherman's house still stands – energy optimized and renovated so that it suits a modern family with children.
The transformation of the old fisherman's house is an inspiring example of why we must take care of the building heritage. With high ambitions to highlight the history and the original details, parts of the brickwork, old rafters and selected beams have been exposed. The choice of materials is characterized by respect for the original and at the same time has references to the maritime context of the fisherman's house.
"There were many hurdles along the way, and if you had built a new building, you probably wouldn't have chosen the same solutions. But the many challenges and the partially locked geometry created different and unpredictable spaces and room flows that you wouldn't normally draw in new construction." Jakob Faaborg Hattesen, builder and architect, 2022
The ground plan has changed, and the house's 96 m2 has been nicely joined by a new atrium courtyard. To optimize the energy of the home, without reducing the already small square meters, the fisherman's house has been given new external insulation. At the same time, it meant a new facade: a wooden facade made of certified material, which requires minimal maintenance, has a long-expected life and will patina beautifully over time.
