The farm “‘S Weileschnieder’s” at Engwiller, Alsace. – Carole Waldvogel
The Heritage Foundation and the owners are appealing for donations for the restoration of an Alsatian farm.
Located in Engwiller, north of the Bas-Rhin, it had been unoccupied for ten years.
The new owners, passionate about Alsatian architecture, have put together a complete file and want to demonstrate that it is possible to save the heritage of the region, while each year more than 310 traditional houses disappear .
For Gilles Becker and his partner Carole Waldvogel, there is no question of leaving a traditional house abandoned. If in Alsace 190 of them disappear every year, at Engwiller in the north of the Bas-Rhin, the farm “‘S Weileschnieder’s” dating from the beginning of the 18th century, found passionate buyers. So invested that their restoration project obtained the favorable opinion of the architect of the buildings of France but especially the invaluable support with the label of the Heritage Foundation .
The Foundation has just launched, and this is quite rare for a project led by individuals, a call for donations in order to obtain 16. euros on 20. 000 represented by the site. Donations which in part can be deducted from donor taxes.
“A dream of youth”
It must be said that the couple, quadras from Alsace who fell in love with this building, put all the chances in their favor and do not intend to do things by halves. The restoration which has already started is carried out using traditional techniques and respects all the codes of Alsatian architecture.
The new owners attacked half-timbered sections which had been replaced after wars by stone rubble. In addition to these replaced rubble stones and plaster redone with lime, the roof was also replaced by tiles “ Bieberschwantz ”traditional. “So that it lasts for centuries” rejoices the happy owner.
This restoration is also delighting the neighborhood, because the farm, uninhabited for ten years, is located in the central square of the village. Place which has preserved all of its original half-timbered houses thus presenting “a remarkable architectural unity”, underlines the Heritage Foundation.
“A renovation with also animation objectives to share their passion, adds Pierre Goetz , at the head of the regional delegation of the Foundation. If all Alsatian houses were supported with all these guarantees! There, this is the ultimate, an example of what to do with a very complete file and educational projects that will allow sharing and showing those who are interested in it that we can do something. to safeguard these houses ”.
“ It was a childhood dream to restore an Alsatian house, ”says Carole Waldvogel who is, like her companion, a mason by trade, a member of the Association of Safeguarding of the Alsatian House (Asma). “They provided us with great technical support, advice. What is important is knowing when you want to restore an Alsatian house, that you are not alone, it is possible. “