Hof Prädikow introduces itself
The mini-series "Hof Prädikow introduces itself" explains in short texts the history of selected buildings on the Hof Prädikow site and provides insights into future uses
Swiss house
The dating of a historic building can sometimes be so simple: a walled-in metal plaque refers to the year 1900, when the employees of the manor were able to move into the one-and-a-half storey building originally used as an administrative and residential building. The distinctive building structure consists on the ground floor of split field stone and red bricks around the window and door frames, while the upper storey sets off with red exposed brickwork and a surrounding brick frieze. In contrast to the other 14 buildings on the Prädikow farm, which have been repeatedly rebuilt or extended over the years, the Swiss House has been preserved in its original form with many original building and furnishing elements. For this reason, the Swiss House deserves special protection and preservation.
Although at first glance one might think that the Swiss house could be made usable again with comparatively little effort, a detailed wood expert opinion determined that there was a considerable and urgent need for renovation. Among other things, almost all wooden components, including load-bearing elements of the storey ceiling and the roof, have to be renewed. The high construction costs result in corresponding investment costs for the cooperative and the future residents. Therefore the state of Brandenburg and the EU support the sustainable restoration of the listed building with a subsidy through the LEADER funding programme. "Only thanks to this financial help we can keep the later rent of the future residents affordable", explains Peter Weber, board member of Mietergenossenschaft SelbstBau eG. The aim is to secure the historic building for the long term and to make it suitable for modern use. By the end of 2021, the apartments will be ready for occupancy by the first permanent residents of Hof Prädikow. The drafts have already been coordinated with the project group, the monument protection authorities and the building authorities, so that the planning application can soon be submitted for the Swiss House.
By the way: The Swiss House owns its name neither to an alleged mountain location nor to Swiss citizens in exile in Brandenburg, but to the former designation of maidservants and farmhands as "Swiss".
