Baukulturführer 141 - Architekturwerkstatt im kleinen Lautertal, Blaustein

Quaintly set between rocky slopes and green meadows, the new architects' studio for Braunger Wörtz Architekten has been developed on the grounds of a former stone factory, which was shut down in the 1990s. The architects Berthold Braunger and Marcus Wörtz recognised the potential of the dilapidated building fabric and made it their mission to redevelop the remaining parts into an unusual architects' studio. The distinct shape of the four chutes and sorting areas for the terrazzo stone processing plant - a broad front featuring open gates and a timber superstructure with a sloped roof - has been incorporated into the design and reinterpreted. The result is a light office space with flexible floor plans, which clearly show the traces and history of the former use.The great care and meticulous attention to traditional, regional details can also be perceived in the conversion of the former home and trading station on the grounds of the stone processing plant. The atmosphere in the dining room "Wirtsstube", the visitor's apartment and meeting room is characterised by the carefully chosen materials, such as the whitewashed brickwork and the light silver fir finishes. The transformation of the quarry's simple industrial and vernacular architecture into an inspiring place for creative work is ground-breaking in terms of preserving building culture.