Private house in Coesfeld.
Single family house renovation and extension
Preserving the existing, creating space for the new.
Engelshove Bau GmbH stands for well thought-out construction planning from the first draft to the completion of the house. In doing so, the architects rely on high-quality materials, building materials and products. Together with selected partners, they primarily design modern residential buildings. To this end, they develop individual detailed solutions for interiors and exterior design. In the renovation and extension of a single-family home in Coesfeld, Brumberg products were a central component of the concept and its implementation. In this interview, architect Anja Engelshove reveals to us what the special tasks were in this particular project, why lighting always plays an important role for her, and how she goes about her various construction projects.
Ms. Engelshove, thank you very much for taking the time to talk to us. In the construction project in Coesfeld, you extended an existing building with a modern extension. What was your central task in this project?
Our main task was to preserve the basic structure of the existing residential building. Since this was the client's parents' house, it was naturally an emotional project in which we had to show particular sensitivity.
"Every project is different."
That sounds like an increased level of difficulty. How did you deal with it?
For us, such tasks have been part of our daily business for more than two decades. Nevertheless, all clients are different and every project is different. We always treat the client's wishes with the necessary seriousness, advise where necessary and try to put ourselves in our clients' shoes. With this project, it was therefore quickly clear that the old family home and its character should be fundamentally preserved.
"Lighting should allow for variable use of space."
You mention the open living concept. What role does lighting play in the development of such a concept?
In open-plan living concepts, the lighting should enable variable use of space. That means that it accentuates the interior, but at the same time provides the necessary basic brightness. I like to divide rooms into zones, but I orient myself less on grids than on structural elements such as windows. Already in the design phase, we pay attention to the incidence of light and look at how the daylight runs. With the lighting, we can direct the line of sight of a building's occupants and visitors. It is important for us that the luminaires are uniform in design, housing color and color temperature. Ideally, lighting can be dimmed to support different activities.
"In the end, it's about conveying a sense of homeliness, security and safety."
How exactly do you go about implementing your lighting concepts?
We consciously work with accentuations through special highlights such as light niches or light lines embedded in the ceiling. The room concept is always based on the requirements of the architecture and, of course, the client. Many rooms require different lighting scenarios, depending on the time of day and the activity. That's why we develop lighting concepts that meet these requirements, taking into account the multitude of demands people place on their homes. In the end, the aim is to convey a feeling of homeliness, security and safety. Brumberg is an important partner for us in this respect, as the products are coordinated with each other and fulfill precisely this functionality in private buildings.
What specific requirements did you have for the lighting in this project?
The illuminant should be subordinate to the emotional and practical significance of its area of application, because the lighting effect is in the foreground. In this project, we worked primarily with recessed spotlights and light lines from Brumberg, which complement each other perfectly. Of course, spotlights and LED strips had to be coordinated in terms of light color. In addition, we usually work with smart home solutions, so the lighting here should also enable various time-of-day-dependent scenarios.
"We have been working with Brumberg for several years. The technical versatility, the material quality and the chandelier result convince us every time."
Why did you choose Brumberg for this project?
Because I am convinced of the quality of the products. We have been working with Brumberg for several years. The technical versatility, the material quality and the luminaire result convince us every time. Although in places I would like to see more decorative luminaires for dining areas that I can use as eye-catchers in planning, Brumberg offers luminaires for various applications that are uniform in design, shape, color scheme and lighting quality. This allows me to use related products for different areas that create a consistent look. In addition, Brumberg's LED strips provide the flexibility needed for light lines and accenting.
At what point in the project planning do you deal with lighting?
We already consider the lighting in the first design in coordination with an initial interior design. We also already set accents. For example, with base lighting for fireplaces or bathtubs. In this way, we can show customers what is possible and how they can make their house homely and contemporary. The lighting often also results from the architecture, as certain structural elements can determine the position of the lights. Once the floor plan is in place, we get down to the details and start with the electrical and lighting design. Holism is the key driver in our approach, so we coordinate all components of the house, from the driveway to the storage room and back out to the garden.
"It's always amazing the atmosphere you can create with different lighting effects."
How do you approach the individual rooms and requirements conceptually?
The light always has to fit the overall concept, whether indoors or outdoors. It's always amazing what kind of atmosphere you can achieve with different lighting effects. The requirements of our customers are decisive here. An open building, as in this project, must be divided into zones that are also marked by the lighting. The lighting should be as independent and variably controllable as possible, and it should be possible to align it with the times of day and the activities of the occupants. In addition, certain rooms have different functions. The kitchen, for example, is a multifunctional room where people spend a lot of time. The lighting here must ensure functionality, but also create atmosphere.
What does the project process look like for you, from planning to completion?
It is always important for us to get to know the clients at the beginning of a project. The discussions are not exclusively about the building project. So that we can implement our customers' requirements in accordance with their wishes, we also need to know how they think and feel, what emotions they associate with the building project and what they would like to see in the course of the project. In addition, we need to get to know the nature of the property in order to work out what is possible. Once we know all the parameters, we move on to the planning phase. In close consultation with the customer, we develop our designs, which we then deepen and visualize in detail in the preparation phase. This also includes planning the building application as well as commissioning and coordinating the various trades, selecting the materials and making a precise calculation. When everything fits, it's time for construction. We take care of the construction management, so that the owners can sit back, relax and look forward to their new home.
Thank you very much for the interview.
Products.
