Fachhallenhaus

The Fachhallenhaus (hall house structured into bays), also Hallenhaus, is a timber-framed farmhouse, which combines living quarters, byre/stable and a harvest storeroom under one roof. Until its decline in the 19th century, this rural, agricultural house style was widely distributed through the North German Plain, all the way from the Lower Rhine to Mecklenburg. "Fachhallenhäuser" still typify the appearance of many north German villages.

Name

The academic name for this type of house comes from the German words "Fach" (bay), describing the space (up to 2.5m) between trusses made of two rafters fixed to a tie beam and connected to two posts with braces and "Halle", meaning something like hall as in a hall church. "Fachhallenhäuser" can be categorized following the number of bays they have: the smallest have only two, the largest, with over ten, can reach a length of 45m. The walls were usually timber framed made of posts and rails; the panels (Gefache) inbetween are filled with wattle and daub or bricks. One bay may be two or rarely three "Gefache" wide. Other names include:
*Hallenhaus (hall house)
*Niedersachsenhaus (Lower Saxon house)
*Sächsisches Haus (Saxon house)
*Altsächsisches Bauernhaus (Old Saxon farmhouse)

Development

The Fachhallenhaus appeared at the end of the Middle Ages, and has been used since the 15th century. The oldest preserved house of this type in Germany was built in the 16th century. Local variations developed to adapt to regional climate and farming conditions. It also changed over time, and was suited to its owner's social class. For example, for a long time, in small variants of the Fachhallenhaus, the living spaces for people and animals were simply different areas of a single large room. Living quarters were separated from the agricultural area piecemeal. The first development was the bedroom, built at the back of the house for the farmer and his family. A bedroom for the farmworkers was developed either next to (in Lower Saxony and Holstein) or above (in Westfalen) the animal stalls. A special room was developed for the sale of Linen. One or several heated rooms were developed with an increasing need for comfort. Lastly, a kitchen was formed around the area containing the stove.

Distribution

References