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From stable to light-flooded retreat

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"We have found that having more daylight not only brightens up the room, it also lifts our mood - even on those short winter days or when the sun is low."
Back to the roots
Planning: Architect Stefan Ehrenberger / Photos: Partricia Weisskirchner
Back to the roots

That could be the motto for Birgita and Stefan’s successful family home renovation project on Lake Neusiedl. The house was originally built as a stable around 1900. In the sixties it was converted into a living space, but it still wasn't up to the requirements of their growing family. After the owners had scratched the idea of building a new building, they decided to renovate the building. With an eye for detail they finished the upper floor within the existing roof shape.

Four roof windows illuminate the upper floor

The result was a detached family house where tradition meets modernity. On the ground floor there's a bright kitchen with direct access to the terrace and a sitting room with open fireplace. A wooden staircase leads to an open gallery, which is adjoined by a bathroom and the bedroom.

During the renovation, particular attention was paid to ensuring the space would be awash in natural light. The square windows on the ground floor have been replaced by box windows in the regional style. The gorgeous two storey band of windows provides a view into the garden from both floors. And the four roof windows on the upper floor ensure even lighting not just throughout the gallery and stairwell but in the bedroom as well. 

Main benefits of getting VELUX roof windows

  1. Lots of daylight - all day long: In the homeowner's words, "The cleverly arranged roof windows let the light penetrate deep into the rooms and illuminate the entire upper floor evenly throughout the day."

  2. Daylight creates a good mood:  “We've found that more daylight not only brightens up the room, but also lifts our mood-even on those short winter days or when the sun is so low".

  3. Night cooling and good ventilation: "You really have to take advantage of the night air to keep the house cool, especially in this area. Thanks to the way our roof windows are positioned, it works like a charm with the open gallery."
We love the light-filled atmosphere
Planning: Architect Stefan Ehrenberger / Photos: Partricia Weisskirchner
We love the light-filled atmosphere

"In Vienna, we have a typical old apartment with all its advantages, but the clear disadvantage is that it's really quite dark," says Birgita. "All the more reason to enjoy every last light-filled moment in our weekend house."

"Our son has already claimed the gallery with all the roof windows as his personal retreat."
- Birgita & Stefan, homeowners
A sun-kissed good morning with natural daylight
Planning: Architect Stefan Ehrenberger / Photos: Partricia Weisskirchner
A sun-kissed good morning with natural daylight

It's been a lifelong love affair with the light for Birgita. "I grew up under a very large roof window and every morning I loved the feeling of the first rays of sunshine on my face. The large amount of daylight really gives the entire family a life when we're in the house and we wake up each morning with every room filled with light flooding in from roof windows upstairs. It's just such a great way to start the day."

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