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An extension for a growing family

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"We always have this bright light flooding the space from dawn till dusk and hardly need any artificial light."
Just not enough space
Planning: Baukooperative GmbH / Photos: Patricia Weisskirchner
Just not enough space

"Our house was built in the sixties as a multi-generation house. We replaced the heating in 2008. When we received the happy news we'd be growing as a family, it quickly became clear that the space we had to work with was going to be too small", says Bernhard Kram, homeowner. The father-to-be then set about planning an extension himself. After the almost two-month planning phase, a 60 m2-large extension was built, which has now become the centre of family life following a three-month period of construction.

Optimal placement of the flat roof windows

From the very start, managing the light was a part of the design process for the architects of Baukooperative. The idea was to have the natural light highlight the wood in the living room for a warm and inviting feel. "We used VELUX Daylight Visualizers to help us plan it all out. With the help of the VELUX visualisations, we were able to identify differences in the positioning of daylight sources during the planning process to be sure everything was perfectly positioned."  The family ultimately chose to place a flat roof window in a tucked away corner of the extension as well as in the kitchen area.

Main benefits of getting VELUX roof windows

  1. More daylight-in every last corner: "The large windows and carefully positioned flat-roof windows enabled us to create a room filled with natural light right down to the room's furthest corners. "We always have bright light from morning to dusk and need very little artificial light.", explains Mr. Kram.

  2. Privacy: "The idea for adding the flat roof windows came while we were planning and it became clear that the more private tucked away area of the addition would be too dark." According to Mr. Kram, "Lighting that space from above through a flat roof window was really the perfect solution." 

  3. Natural ventilation: The family decided to position a second flat roof window over the kitchen area, which also makes venting the kitchen easier when they cook.
Bathed in golden light
Planning: Baukooperative GmbH / Photos: Patricia Weisskirchner
Bathed in golden light

Bernhard Kram lights up when he speaks of the "golden light", which, in the evening, when the sun is low in the west, spills in through the flat roof windows, bathing the entire room in warm, soft light.

"The entire atmosphere is really something special."
- Bernhard Kram, homeowner
New quality of life
Planning: Baukooperative GmbH / Photos: Patricia Weisskirchner
New quality of life

And it's not just the daylight. Bernhard Kram can't get enough of the views of the garden: "We sit at the dining table and look out at the old plum tree or watch the birds and squirrels--that kind of quality of life is just priceless.  We're thrilled with the extension and really feel at home in the house."

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