01 · Challenge
Timber frame construction requires specialist knowledge
The owner of a listed building in the Jekerkwartier district of Maastricht wanted to add living space through a rear extension. The half-timbered house dates from the 18th century and has a rare surviving timber-frame wall in the rear facade that must remain visible on the exterior. Every extension element had to be dimensioned so that the timber-frame structure bears no additional load and the historic garden wall remains undamaged. The municipality of Maastricht also has a strict heritage policy with specific requirements for material choice and detailing at listed buildings.
02 · Our approach
Contemporary extension that accentuates the historic facade
We designed a slender glass extension that deliberately contrasts with the historic rear facade, keeping the timber-frame wall fully legible. The extension rests on its own foundation that is structurally independent of the historic building walls. The structure is entirely steel and glass, satisfying the Maastricht heritage policy: visibly new elements alongside the historic building. We conducted extensive pre-application consultation with the heritage desk and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, resulting in a targeted building permit application without delay.
03 · Result
44 m² extra living space, timber frame fully visible
The building permit was granted within 16 weeks, including a positive opinion from the RCE. The extension adds 44 m² of living space to the ground floor and provides a direct connection to the garden. The historic timber-frame wall is fully intact and visible, precisely because the glass extension incorporates it as a decorative element in the facade elevation. The owner now has a contemporary open living space with a respectfully visible past, exactly what the heritage desk had in mind when giving its advice.