JUNG

In the heart of the province of Unterallgäu rises the Vöhlin castle in Frickenhausen, a listed building of national importance, whose origins reach back to 1492. Built by the commercial and patrician Vöhlin family, the well-fortified structure with its round towers, the mighty pitched roof and the baroque knights' hall dominates the townscape to this day. After centuries of changing use as a nobleman's home, rectory and lately a private home, the historical monument was comprehensively repaired by Kern Architects in close cooperation with craft workers and upgraded for future residential use.

The restoration concept was based on the largest possible retention of the structure, traditional craft techniques and consistent use of natural, regional materials: the sand comes from Frickenhausen, the lime from Altmannstein, the spruce wood from the Sachsenried forest and the hand-made bricks from Upper Bavaria. Alongside the repairs appropriate for its listed status, the careful addition of contemporary elements was decisive. Necessary additions were carried out in such a way that historical traces can continue to be experienced and new interventions can be clearly identified. These develop the existing structure further and bring it into the present. In this way, a residential building was completed that fulfils the demands of the new usage without losing its historical character. On the ground floor, a semi-public zone was created that serves as a cultural meeting space in the rural area.

In selecting the equipment, it was important for the design to stay in the background while using the highest quality. For the electrical equipment, the decision fell on the JUNG LS 990 switch range in white. With its clear geometry, the flat form and the neutral colour, the range inserts itself unobtrusively into the historical rooms. It creates a discrete but precise connection between past and present – technology that integrates harmoniously into the listed context.

Through the respectful handling of the historical building structure and the various layers of time which have marked the building over the centuries, a piece of building history has been retained in the Vöhlin castle and at the same time it has been brought into the present with passion and sensitivity. The project was awarded the German prize for craftmanship in heritage preservation (Bundespreis für Handwerk in der Denkmalpflege) 2023, the heritage prize (Denkmalpreis) 2024 and the heritage protection medal (Denkmalschutzmedaille) 2025.