Since the 1960s, the Schnittger family has run a thriving building materials business in Kirchlengern (North Rhine-Westphalia). What began as a haulage company has grown over the years into a building materials company known far beyond the town's borders. As the family business expanded, so too did the number of family members. The single-family home, built in 1910 and owned by the family ever since, which also housed the company's administration for a long time, became too small over the years. Various modernizations, conversions, and expansion measures followed until 1993, when the building materials business was relocated to a conveniently located industrial park. However, with the third generation of the family expanding, further expansion became necessary. Considerations about building a new building failed due to a lack of planning permission, and adding an additional storey seemed unattractive, so the decision was made to build an extension, which the second generation of the Schnittger family used to construct their own age-appropriate residence. In order to achieve a modern look that clearly and visually separates the old and new buildings, the facade of the extension was covered with graphite-grey profiles of the new, innovative facade cladding Creative from NaturinForm.

Before embarking on the extension of their living space, the Schnittger family, together with the commissioned architect Martin Kremer from Planpluswerk, conducted a usage analysis of their space requirements. The extended family, which spans four generations, needed to be accommodated according to their needs. The bottom line of these considerations was that the daughter's large family would continue to live in the old building with her grandmother. The Schnittger senior couple will receive a separate, forward-looking, age-appropriate living unit in the form of an extension directly adjacent to it. The two units are connected by a floor-to-ceiling door where the terrace previously stood. Here, the two house units were linked by a shared utility room. This allows access to the other's living area from both sides, but only with their consent. This enables optimal communal living while respecting the privacy of each party. The extension itself is accessed from the street side via a covered carport and a low-step, also covered staircase. In the 130 square meter, ground-floor apartment, the separate private rooms such as bedrooms and bathrooms are located at the front, facing the street. A living area with kitchen opens onto the garden, which in summer is complemented by a nearly 15 square meter covered terrace.

Floating impression

The house was constructed using environmentally friendly timber-frame construction, with the front section projecting a few centimeters from the exposed floor slab. This visually striking "finesse" gives the cubic structure an impression of lightness, an almost weightless floating appearance. The white-plastered fascia at the transition to the flat roof, combined with the graphite-gray facade cladding, further emphasizes this effect. A shadow gap, also plastered white, between the extension and the existing building creates a visual separation between the two parts of the building and adds additional depth.

Innovative facade material creates contrast

The clients were responsible for selecting the material for the facade cladding. Together with the architect, they agreed that a cool, modern look was needed to contrast the dignified yellow clinker brick facade of the old building. Having had positive experiences with NaturinForm patio coverings for years and having offered them in their building materials store from the very beginning, they selected the innovative and then-brand-new Creative as a ventilated, rainscreen facade system. The graphite-gray profiles with stainless steel corners visually complement the clinker brick facade while still emphasizing the modern character of the flat-roofed building. In the garden, the adjacent areas of the old building, up to the level of the flat roof, were also clad with the wood composite profiles. This, together with the gray concrete slabs of the terrace and the bed borders carved from rough stone, created a harmonious and elegant garden area.

Modern facade cladding with wood composite material

Creative in the "small" and "xl" versions is a solid rhombus skirting board with a covering dimension of 66 and 99 millimeters, respectively. It can be installed both horizontally and vertically. It is available in standard lengths of four and six meters, with custom lengths available upon request. The profiles, available in the exclusive colors oak, amber, and chestnut brown, as well as graphite gray (as shown here), feature a unique wood grain and a natural-looking color gradient. A light brushing gives the surface structure an elegant appearance. The skirting boards can be manufactured in any color upon request.

Installation as a ventilated facade is quick and easy. The solid rhombus profile in the "XL" version with a coverage of 99 millimeters was installed on a previously installed substructure using coordinated accessories. To protect the wall, for example, from driving rain, a vapor-permeable facade fleece was attached between the wall structure and the cladding. Starting with the initial clamp at base height, the first profile was fastened vertically and horizontally. Then, step by step, the subsequent profiles were attached using a tongue and groove connection in a repeating sequence: placing the stainless steel mounting clamps on the already installed profile, attaching the clamp to the substrate, and placing the next profile. A custom-made stainless steel angle profile was fitted in the corner area. Both the stainless steel trim on the base and on the parapet form a harmonious finish to the facade cladding. Lighting elements, ventilation grilles, and rainwater downpipes could be easily attached to the profiles without any special measures.

Economical and durable

Architect Martin Kremer, whose architectural firm was also responsible for the construction, was very impressed with the new facade system. Kremer, who works extensively with wood, concluded: "The profiles are almost indistinguishable from wood in terms of appearance and feel. The workability leaves nothing to be desired. My craftsmen were able to work with the system very well. I see a major advantage in the material's many color options and its minimal weathering. Building owners are often disappointed by excessive color variations after the facade cladding weathers."

In addition to ease of installation, reduced weathering, and colorfastness, durability is one of the key criteria for a facade made of wood composite systems. NATURinFORM offers an ideal composite material for this purpose with its tested and certified wood-based material, with a wood-to-polymer ratio of approximately 70 to 30 percent. As with all floorboards, the facade solutions also benefit from the material properties of the wood-plastic blend: Due to the polymer content, the facade profiles are weatherproof and yet very easy to clean and low-maintenance. If cleaning is necessary, it is carried out exclusively with water; for heavily soiled surfaces, a high-pressure cleaner can be used.