A family has transformed a centuries-old protected historic building into a stunning modern home that perfectly blends heritage with contemporary Nordic design. The Gräber/Ehrlich family now calls this remarkable property at Münsterstr. 159 in Brand their home, proving that appearances can be deceiving when it comes to architectural gems.
The building's rich history dates back around 275 years, with the first section constructed around 1750. Historical records indicate that around 1800, the charming structure housed a bakery that served the local community. During recent renovation work, the family made an exciting discovery – an original bakery oven complete with firebrick lining designed to retain heat, providing tangible evidence of the building's commercial past.
From the street view, the house presents an unassuming facade with no visible windows, giving it the appearance of a modest, weathered farmhouse. However, this modest front conceals the true character of the home, which becomes apparent when viewing the side elevation. The editorial team carefully counted an impressive 14 windows of nine different sizes along the side facade, reflecting the building's organic growth over the centuries.
The property has evolved significantly from its humble beginnings, gradually expanding to reach its current generous proportions of approximately 160 square meters of living space. What started as a simple rural structure has been thoughtfully developed over time, with each addition contributing to its unique architectural character and substantial size.
While the exterior maintains its rustic, unassuming farmhouse appearance that might cause passersby to overlook its potential, the interior tells a completely different story. The family has successfully converted this protected historic building into a showcase of Scandinavian design principles, demonstrating that even the most modest-looking structures can hide extraordinary potential. This transformation serves as part of a series highlighting unusual living spaces, proving that sometimes the most remarkable homes are hidden behind the most ordinary facades.
