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A jewel made of steel

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"A piece of post-war history becomes a modern family home."

Case study
Modern family home made of steel

MAN steel houses were manufactured between 1948 and 1953 at the MAN factory in Ginsheim-Gustavsburg. The facade and supporting structure are made entirely of steel. At the time, the reconstruction of the country demanded quickly available and affordable housing. Factory made floor-to-ceiling steel cases and girders were made to produce this quick, mass-produced living space. Today, only about 40 of these special structures remain in Germany. One of them had been vacant for two years and was in rather terrible condition when it was discovered by the Turck family, a duo of architects, in Düsseldorf in 2013. Its disheveled state aside, the four decided to transform it into a modern family home. 

VELUX CABRIO was the real rescue

For fire protection reasons, a second escape route had to be built in the attic of the house - without violating the strict requirements of the preservation order. "The VELUX CABRIO roof window was the real rescue," says Katrin Turck. "It forms the emergency exit for a newly created escape route, which leads over the roof via newly installed roof steps, as otherwise used by the chimney sweep. At the same time, the useful and the pleasant are combined here: When closed, its generous glass surface lets plenty of daylight into the room.”

Main benefits of getting VELUX roof windows

  1. The perfect view: Here we like to let our eyes wander over the roofs of the neighbouring houses. And our kids love this observation post.

  2. Daylight: Because it is a listed building, we could only make major changes to the roof, so this was the only way to let in more daylight.

  3. Ventilation: Possibility of cross-ventilation. An electric window was installed in the staircase. This meant the Turcks could make full use of the chimney effect here.
Case study

Katrin Turck,

architect

The only way to let in more daylight, for example, was through the roof.

Case study

Case study
More space under the roof

A total of seven VELUX hinged swing windows provide daylight in the owners's and children's rooms as well as cross-ventilation, creating the potential for air exchange when several windows on one level are opened on different sides. An electric window was installed in the staircase which can be operated via the VELUX Integra ® Control Pad. The Turcks can take full advantage of the chimney effect here.

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