Preserving tradition, shaping the future – with PaX and warm edge technology from Swisspacer
When a thatched farmhouse from the 17th century in Viersen was almost completely destroyed by fire, the new owners made a bold decision: to reconstruct it true to the original – in accordance with heritage guidelines, yet technically state-of-the-art.
For this ambitious project, they brought on board the experienced architect Andreas Puntke. His task: to restore the house’s appearance and character to what it was before the fire – but with improved energy efficiency, safety, and functionality. One key goal was to convert the roof area into fully usable living space for the first time. A new thatched roof was deliberately avoided.
Windows played a key role in this renovation – both as a defining architectural element and as a driver of technical optimization. The owners chose custom-made timber windows from the manufacturer PaX, based on historical designs. The selected profile, Retro78, is made from durable, dimensionally stable eucalyptus wood. Its colour, sash bar layout, and proportions are in harmony with local building traditions.
Technically, the windows set new standards: thermal insulation glazing, safety glazing, security fittings, and a distinctive slightly wavy surface reminiscent of traditional mouth-blown glass.
Inside the insulating glass units, the Swisspacer Ultimate warm edge spacer minimizes energy loss at the glass edge – an invisible yet effective detail that enhances performance while fitting discreetly into the overall aesthetic.
Today, the house once again stands in its familiar form within the landscape – visibly shaped by history, and energetically ready for the future.
