Looking ahead: modernising a 1980s home

Smart technology and sustainable living in one existing property? That may sound like an ambitious project – and it was. In this interview, the homeowner shares what mattered most to him during the modernisation process of his stunning 1980s home and the challenges he faced along the way. 

A once-modest 1980s property has been transformed into a smart, sustainable family home, where new energy solutions meet everyday comfort. Inherited in the late 2010s, the property was not just refurbished – it was completely reimagined into a home of the future. What once was an ordinary, ageing house is now a shining example of smart and sustainable living. Read on to find out how the homeowner, with foresight, meticulous planning and a strong focus on resource conservation, was able to unlock the full potential of the property. 

Gira editorial team: Every home tells a story. What personal significance does this house have for you and your family? 

Homeowner: When I inherited the house in 2018, I had no idea what to do with it. My family and I were living very comfortably in a lovely flat in Augsburg and had no plans of leaving the city. But one thing was certain: our two sons needed more space. So in the end, we decided to renovate and modernise the house and build our new home in the commuter belt between Munich and Augsburg. 

Gira editorial team: You’ve managed to combine a contemporary design with the more traditional surroundings. What inspired this concept? 

Homeowner: The original house wasn’t at all to our taste, and it didn’t offer the kind of comfort we’d become used to. Design, art and architecture are my great passions, and both my wife and I are very drawn to beautiful things. That’s why the renovation left almost nothing of the original Alpine foothills look. That said, with some of the proportions and design details, we’ve created subtle nods to the local houses and the typical Swabian architecture of the region. 

Gira editorial team: What motivated you to go through such a comprehensive modernisation rather than just building a new house? 

Homeowner: We wanted to use as little energy and as few resources as possible. So we worked with our architect to rethink the house from the ground up. When it comes to sustainability, transforming an existing property is always preferable to building something new. 

Gira editorial team: You’ve made your home largely self-sufficient. What role does Gira’s smart technology play in this? 

Homeowner: A big one. We chose the Gira X1 smart home server. It’s the central hub for all the energy-relevant systems in the house. The lights, for example, switch on only when needed – and off again when not. So if I walk into a room, the light comes on, and when I leave, it turns off. The X1 also controls our ventilation and shading. On sunny winter days, we can save up to 50 percent on heating costs. Our E3DC home power station determines whether solar energy should charge the electric car or power the heat pump and relays that information to the X1. 

Gira editorial team: From outside in: what technical features did you implement inside the home and why? 

Homeowner: We installed underfloor heating in every room, which is precisely regulated via the Gira X1 to direct heating energy exactly where it’s needed. We also have a central ventilation system that manages temperature and humidity. As mentioned, lighting is automated based on presence, and the type and intensity of light adjusts according to the time of day. For instance, during cooking, the ventilation system increases its airflow. 

Gira editorial team: Which trends or technologies do you see as most promising for the future of sustainable living? 

Homeowner: Definitely the heat pump because it offers independence from fossil fuels. Especially in combination with smart home tech and photovoltaics. 

Gira editorial team: With everything you’ve learned, would you do anything differently next time? 

Homeowner: I’d plan for smart home technology right from the start. We would’ve needed twelve double switches to control everything the “classic” way. Those would’ve had to go on a load-bearing column in the living area, ruining both its function and its clean aesthetic. That’s when the idea to go fully smart was born. 

Gira editorial team: And finally, what advice would you give to someone planning a similar renovation? 

Homeowner: Don’t tackle such an extensive refurbishment without a really good architect. You need professional support at every level. Ideally, the architect should be local and take over the site management as well. 

Gira editorial team: Thank you for your time and for giving us a glimpse into your beautiful home.