Study Purpose
The building that is subject of this study is located in Andlau, a small town of about 1850 residents located 40 km south of Strasbourg, Alsace, France.
History
The so-called “Seigniory” is a symbolic building of Andlau that is widely known in the region. This building was built in 1582 by one of Frederic d’Andlau’s four sons. Andlau lords, vassals of the abbey, had several residences in the small town of Andlau.
This former mansion boasts the architecture in vogue at the end of the XVIth century (Renaissance), materialized by polygonal tower hosting a spiral staircase. The property was the residence of the Counts of Andlau from the XVIth century to the French Revolution (1789). The ground floor was occupied by the pantry and shops, the main floor by the main apartments, the second floor by the bedrooms, and the attic by vast granaries. The cellar was originally the tithe cellar. An attic for salt stood formerly on the south end of the property.
Formerly called “Red House” in relation to the name of one of the owners, Mr Charles Rouge (Red in French) (1900), the building then took the generic denomination of Lordship (“Seigniory”). It is noteworthy that Mr Charles Rouge, painter, collector and design theorist, turned his house into a museum, where he taught young people the art of drawing. He was also the author of a book: Drawing for All. In 1934, the facades of the main building were listed on the supplementary inventory of French historic monuments. The town of Andlau became the owner of the “Seigniory” in January 2005. The landscape and the geographical location significantly contribute to cultural development and have an influence on tourism in the centre of Alsace. This place, pregnant with history, hosts now the Heritage Interpretation Centre (HIC), a lively place, open and accessible to all, valuing the heritage and knowledge of yesterday and today.
Works
The “Seigniory” was completely restored to welcome the HIC. Besides, it was endowed with a modern extension that grants the reception of the public in optimal conditions. The ground-floor has been fitted out in a space dedicated to temporary exhibitions, both house floors and first level of the attic will be dedicated to the permanent exhibition (path of interpretation), the second level of the attic will host the administrative part and the last two levels will stay as they are. Indeed, the works of restoration had tend to cover and to hide the largest part of the frame from view; the upper parts, very characteristic of the construction mode of the Renaissance, will not be accessible any more, nor visible for visitors.
Modelling allowed to maintain and visualize, and even to extract and measure frame’s parts that cannot be more reached. Figures 1 (a, b, c, d) show some examples of interesting elements modelled and studied within the scope of this restoration: we find various types of assemblies and detect disorders.
Figure 1. (a) and (b) Framework assemblies. (c) and (d) Assembly deformation
Aim of the Study
In this context a modelling of the structure was required to allow recording, to make diagnoses, to know and to consolidate the knowledge on this type of historic wooden frame. A virtual display has enabled other applications, especially the provision of models for animations (Figure 2); it also defined the fundamentals of an Information System and supply the future HIC with digital data.
Figure 2. (a) “Seigniory” South and East facades. (b) “Seigniory” South and West facades. (c) Cross section (Ateliers, 2014). (d) Textured CAD model