Before us stands a magnificent example of medieval architecture in the half-timbered style, demonstrating a masterful combination of various construction techniques and materials. The building represents a typical example of a Norman half-timbered house, where the upper floors are executed in the characteristic frame technique with wooden beams forming geometric patterns, while the ground floor is built of stone.
The facade of the building is particularly noteworthy for its two-part composition. The lower level is faced with stone in a checkerboard pattern of light and reddish-brown blocks, creating an exquisite contrasting pattern. This technique, known as "en damier" (checkerboard masonry), gives the building's foundation both solidity and decorative appeal simultaneously. The upper floors showcase classic half-timbering with the characteristic frame of dark wooden beams forming geometric patterns (mostly cruciform) against light plaster.
The roof of the house has a complex multi-pitched form with sharp gables executed in the same half-timbered style. The roof is covered with traditional tiles that have acquired patina and richness of hues over the years. Of special note is the bay window with a rounded facade on the second floor, which not only adds architectural expressiveness but also expands the interior space.
The windows in the building vary in size and shape: large window openings with blue frames and numerous muntins on the upper floors contrast with more modest arched windows in the stone foundation. The entrance door, made of dark wood with a characteristic arched framing, harmoniously fits into the checkerboard pattern of the lower floor.
For modern homeowners, this historical example offers several techniques that can be adapted: contrasting combination of materials (stone and wood), decorative geometric patterns on the facade, multi-level roofing with dormer windows, use of bay windows for visual diversity and functional expansion of space. Color solutions also deserve attention — here, the combination of natural stone hues with expressive dark wooden elements and accent blue windows creates a harmonious and memorable image.