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T he parallels cannot be missed: Henry van de Velde and Claus Lämmle appear to be
brothers in spirit. Although both started their careers by studying painting, the intense
focus on the topic of design led them to architecture and, for both of them, to respective
contemporary and holistic approaches to design. Entirely in line with van de Velde,
Lämmle – in the true sense of the word – walks on his trails as the owner of the castle and
the building client, as an artist, designer, exhibition organizer and the head of Büroplasz.
In 2004, he saw the ad of a real-estate agent on the internet which read “hunting lodge in
Saxony for sale” and turned the castle with 350 square metres, with almost 1,000 square
metres of usable area together with a castle park measuring 7,500 square metres into the
centre of his own and his family’s life and into his architectural-archaeological research
field. (AIT 1/2 2013, AIT 03/2014). The aspiration was to look for, find, expose and make
perceptible again the historic fabric and structures and to complement them and to restore
the extensive interior design by Henry van de Velde, the art nouveau stucco ceilings, wood-
panelled walls, built-in wardrobes and consistent colouring. This was accomplished step Foto: Bildarchiv Foto Marburg
by step with much initiative by the castle owner and the help of neighbours, villagers, local
enterprises and specialist planners. Early in 2005, the first demolition- and renovation
work began in the south-eastern part of the four-storey cultural monument where Lämmle Der große Salon in originaler Van-der-Velde-Pracht • The large living room in the original van der Velde glory
and his family also lived. The complete infrastructure – heating, water, sewage pipes and
power lines – was newly installed. Lämmle masterfully investigated materials and
methods, researched manufacturers and sources to replace what was missing, preferably
with originals, in any case, however, in proper style and professionally.
Grundriss Erdgeschoss • Groundfloor plan
On the trails of Henry van de Velde

On the north-west side of the castle is the former staff- and delivery entrance. The section
1 7
behind it – today’s “Wohnung Gretl” – was converted into an apartment after the Second 4 5 6 8
World War and let until the end of 2011. In 2012, it had already been possible to restore it
to the condition of prior to 1945. In May 2015, the renovation work in the castle had finally
progressed to such a point that the final phase of the renovation drew near: At a dealer in
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historic building materials in Thuringia, Lämmle found the suitable double folding doors 12
for the vestibule of the side entrance. They were refurbished and vitrified true to original;
a matching door frame with a skylight was added. As in the whole castle, the original floor-
boards from 1884 were exposed, polished, oiled and – where necessary – replaced. The 3 10
2
windows in the stately rooms of the castle were newly constructed analogous to the histo-
ric models. As much as possible here as well, all the original plaster was exposed:
Distemper was washed off; damaged areas were repaired with lime-cement plaster. The
patina was stabilized and is preserved as it is seen. An exposed mural in the bedroom of
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the 79 square-metre apartment was cleaned and secured.
1 Gartensaal Garden hall 7 Speisekammer Pantry
2 Salon Salon 8 Hunderaum Dog´sroom
Integration of the old and the new and participating in the process 3 Bibliothek Library 9 Empfang Entrance
4 Anrichte Prep Room 10 Ferienwohnung Apartement
5 Hauswirtschaft Laundry 11 Vorfahrt Drive away
The historic wall panelling was refurbished and – where it was missing – complemented 6 Küche Kitchen 12 Loggia Loggia
in matching colours. The living room of the holiday apartment was given a especial inter-
pretation of the wall panelling which is characteristic of this building by wallpapering the Grundriss Obergeschoss • First Floor Plan
plasterboard panelling with a kind of fleece wallpaper specifically designed for this place:
Digital painting, produced on a scale of 1:1, simulates the so-called combing technique
8 9
where paint is applied to walls and removed in strips with the appropriate tool. Besides
historic luminaires, but also modern classic such as the Glo-Ball from Flos in the bedroom 3 4
of the “Wohnung Gretl”, the major part of the ceiling- and wall luminaires in the castle 5
are Lämmle’s own designs. In the course of furnishing the castle, he brought a few addi-
tional icons of the modern age into the home: the Lc2 chair by Le Corbusier, the Thonet 2
Fauteuil 5501 art nouveau classic, the Lounge Chair & Ottoman and the DAW Plastic Chair
by Charles Eames all the way to Dieter Ram’s 620 chair programme. The “Wohnung Gretl”
1
leaves nothing to be desired: In addition to the small entrance hall, a living room with a 10 11
dining area and a seating ensemble, a bedroom with a double bed, two additional slee-
ping options, a bathroom with a level-access shower and a separate WC, a fully equipped
kitchen and a small furnished terrace offer a maximum of possibilities and comfort for two
12
to four person. Why the apartment is called “Gretl”? The name pays homage to Gretl
Schöneck, who lived for 62 years in this apartment. What is impressive is Lämmle’s holi-
1 Schlafen Bedroom 7 Gast Guest
stic, undogmatic and yet very consistent approach to the project of renovating the castle. 2 Ankleide Dressing 8 Bad Bathroom
The integration of the old and the new and the participating in the process are thereby 3 Grüner Salon Green 9 Gast Guest
4 Bad Bathroom 10 Salon Salon
pleasantly in the foreground. Those who are interested are strongly recommended his blog
5 Technik Equipment 11 Gast Guest
Schlosslauterbach.com. Find also information at ferienwohnung.schlosslauterbach.com. 6 Diele Hallway 12 Balkon Balcony

AIT 1/2.2018 • 039