Komturei Werben
Renovating a listed building with hemp, lime and clay
The young team of architects from the OFEA collective is renovating the historic Komturei in Werben. The building is to become a new centre of village life, and holiday flats are being created in the manager’s house.
Building without cement
The team deliberately did without cement and chose hemp blocks, clay and lime. At the same time, strict heritage conservation requirements applied: the historic character had to be preserved, along with requirements for energy efficiency and accessibility.
The build-up, floor by floor
To protect the building fabric from damage, only capillary-active build-ups were an option. Construction costs also played a role in the decision.
Basement: hemp and lime, plus a lime screed without cement.
Upper floors: internal insulation made of wood fibre with clay plaster and clay mortar.
Roof: cellulose, with mineral wool around the chimneys for fire protection reasons.
These build-ups meet the requirements of heritage conservation.
What comes next
A house-within-a-house principle is planned for the long stable, and further parts of the complex are to be renovated in the long term. The project was financed from own funds and urban development grants. Information as of 2024.
Photos: David Feldbrügge