The document describes the Low German house, a type of timber-framed farmhouse that was common in Northern Germany and the Netherlands from the late Middle Ages until the 19th century. It had a single large rectangular structure with a central hall (diele) that served multiple functions. At one end of the diele was an open kitchen and dining area (flett). Private rooms (kammerfach) were later added beyond the flett. The house had a huge hipped roof and was built with a timber frame structure. Over time, the design evolved as additional rooms were added.

1. BANGLADESH UNIVERSITYOF ENGINEERING AND TECHONOLOGY
0417012036
MOSTASIM BILLAH
MostasimBillah .0417012036 .Arch6303.Domestic Architecture

2. Low German house Farmhouse /
Fachhallenhaus /
Hall house /
Mostasim Billah | 0417012036 | Arch6303 | Domestic Architecture

3. Location & History:
Northern Germany and the Netherlands
Area almost 1,000 km
Low German language
By the Germanic tribes of the Saxons
Emerged towards the end of the Middle Ages
Until the end of nineteenth century
Life span: about three hundred years or more
Timber-framed agricultural farmhouse
Mostasim Billah | 0417012036 | Arch6303 | Domestic Architecture

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5. Features:
• A single large rectangular structure.
• Three aisled structure: 40ft width and 80ft length.
• The building is entered through a large barn door.
• In this building types people, farm animal, and crops are
sheltered under one roof, with domestic and husbandry activities
spatially interlinked through a central space called a DIELE of hall
(public space).
• At the end of the Diele, was the Flett, an open kitchen and dining
area (semi-public space).
• After the sixteenth century, it was common to extend the hall by
adding two bays beyond the Flett to provide additional habitable
rooms. It was called Kammerfach or chamber bay (private space).
40ft (12 m)
80ft(24m)
Mostasim Billah | 0417012036 | Arch6303 | Domestic Architecture

6. Diele (hall):
• The hall is the central place , the heart of the house. It is
multifunctional.
• This wide central space is flanked by narrower side aisles divided
into stalls for cows and horses that faced inwards.
• Hall serves as a entrance hall, a corridor , a feeding aisle for the
stabled animal and a work place.
• And do other chores, a festsaal (ballroom, party hall, ceremonial
hall), or a feast hall, where dances are held on happy occasions
and also where the bier of a deceased member is placed during
mourning.
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7. • Above the diele is a cavernous loft for hay and grain storage.
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10. Flett (open kitchen):
• Beyond the stables, the hall space expands into side aisles, and
with the addition of these two alcoves the hall became T-shaped.
Mostasim Billah | 0417012036 | Arch6303 | Domestic Architecture

11. Flett (open kitchen):
• This widen section, usually two bay deep, is called the flett, and
constitutes the kitchen / dining area/ living space.
• Dominated by a large fireplace.
• This central position allows the housewife to keep an eye on all
activities.
• A long dining table with benches along the walls, occupying one
alcove, while the other is designated as the washing area. From it
a so- called Dutch door gives access to the side yard and water
well.
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15. Kammerfach (chamber bay):
• The Kammerfach or chamber bay usually contains two or three
rooms.
• One of the rooms serves as a Wohnstube or Donse, a smoke free
living and reception space. this room is well appointed and
furnished with a table, chairs, benches, an armoire, and one or
two bed boxes with sliding door. Occupied by the head of the
family with his wife and small children.
• The other smaller room could be use for sleeping, storage, or
working place.
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18. Structure:
• It was sheltered by a huge hipped roof, but was
gradually replaced by a saddleback roof.
• The support structure of this farmsteads consists of a
sophisticated heavy timber framework, with oak
posts along the hall defining bay ranging in width
from 6ft 6in (2m) to 8ft (2.5m).
• External walls were of half-timber construction, with
wattle - and - daub infilling; later brick, a more
permanent material was used.
• In contrast to the 6ft 6in (2m) ceiling height of the
stables, the clearance in the hall is about 12ft (3.6m),
in order to allow the passage of fully loaded hay
wagon.
6’-6”(2m)
12’-0”(3.6m)
6ft 6in – 8ft
Mostasim Billah | 0417012036 | Arch6303 | Domestic Architecture

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20. Types: Two ,three and four post German farm houses
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22. Change of design
(16th - 19th Century) :
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27. References :
1. Low German house. (2018, June 21). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_German_house
2. Norbert, S. (2000). 6000 years of Housing.
3. Wohnen in Nds. (2018). Retrieved from http://www.kirchner-raddestorf.de/heimat/regional/ndswohn.htm
Mostasim Billah | 0417012036 | Arch6303 | Domestic Architecture

28. THANK YOU