Standing in Forstenried since 1751, the Derzbachhof is Munich's oldest surviving farmstead. This heritage-protected farm lay empty for four decades, but remains a cornerstone of the historic village centre – alongside the church, inn, and school of Alt-Forstenried – embodying rural charm at its finest. Built directly adjacent to the village road, the farmhouse leaves room for little more than a narrow pavement, a proximity that defines the site's unique character.

Three years of construction have culminated in the recent inauguration of the transformed Derzbachhof. Property developer Euroboden acquired the farm and its grounds, then partnered with Munich architect Peter Haimerl to conceive a holistic vision: one that respectfully restored the historic farmstead, reimagined the former stables, and introduced a thoughtful new addition on the rear portion of the site. This creative partnership—builder Stefan Höglmaier and architect Peter Haimerl—proved itself in 2015 with another landmark achievement: the remarkable restoration of the Schusterbauerhaus in Riem.

Preservation of the historic village core was paramount. General planning fell to the Starnberg-based firm raumstation. A specialized use concept was developed for the existing building, and every decision was guided by close dialogue with heritage conservation authorities to treat the historic fabric with utmost care.

Since September 2022, the forecourt has welcomed public use as a gathering space. Inside the historic farmhouse, residents share common rooms for celebrations, collaborative cooking, and work—plus a guest suite with dressing area and bathroom. This sharing model is ingenious: by pooling guest and work spaces, individual apartments gain flexibility without sacrificing floor plans. The conservation-sensitive renovation itself accommodates three maisonette units and one studio apartment within the original structure's stalls and barn spaces.

The new construction seamlessly continues the story. Vertical larch wood slats wrap all buildings like a protective second skin—a lightweight ventilated façade with exceptional thermal performance. Spaced rhythmically, these battens evoke the weathered character of traditional farm buildings. Three pitched, tile-clad gable roofs crown the composition, each one a nod to individual village cottages. Built as a hybrid timber-concrete structure, the addition houses ten garden apartments, two standard flats, and five top-floor units ranging from two to five rooms across 1,560 m². The interiors strike a deliberate balance: refined without excess, featuring polished concrete, exposed wood, and red clay tiles that speak to the landscape.

The rear gardens—designed by landscape architect Carmen Lefeber—offer generous space for living: a pond, playhouse and tool shed, wooden loungers, a vegetable patch, barbecue area, and fruit meadow. Underfloor heating powered by a fully automated wood pellet system ensures comfort year-round. The Derzbachhof emerges as a model of sustainability, delivering both ecological integrity and lasting community value.

www.raumstation-architekten.de

Photography Credits:

Thomas Weinberger
www.thomas-weinberger.de