Dear Herr von Fürstenberg, the castle in its present form was built in the mid-17th century. How did the nobility build at that time? Were there private areas that functioned like a self-contained residence?
A castle was always a representative structure. Accordingly, the lower floors housed the grand salons and reception rooms. At Hugenpoet, the family itself occupied the first floor, which contained the actual living quarters, guest rooms, and private salons.
The upper floors generally accommodated smaller living spaces, primarily for the household staff. The cellar rooms served as functional areas—housing kitchens, storage rooms, cold rooms, and other service facilities.
Which materials were used?
Even at that time, architects worked closely with the client—the respective owner—to precisely plan renovations and extensions. Contemporary taste and the prevailing style of the era played a central role in these decisions. In the case of Schloss Hugenpoet, this was the Baroque period.
The architect divided the various trades and coordinated them, in much the same way as is still common practice today.
Construction relied predominantly on regional materials. For the interior spaces, however, imported materials were sometimes used. Among the materials employed were sandstone and brick, while the interiors featured dolomite or marble. In the ancillary buildings, walls were partially executed in half-timbered construction, and floors were generally made of wood.
Were there children’s rooms?
Yes, there were children’s rooms. They were located on the first floor, where the family lived, and were housed in the corner towers of that level.
How was the castle heated?
Initially, heating was provided by fireplaces and so-called Bolleröfen (large cast-iron stoves). Radiators were added at a later stage. In the 1950s, night storage heaters were installed. Today, the castle is heated via a biogas system.
When you took over Schloss Hugenpoet GmbH & Co. KG in 2014, you expanded the hotel to 36 rooms. What were the greatest challenges in this process?
The main challenges were heritage conservation, fire safety regulations, and TÜV requirements.
How can one imagine the overall project process in practical terms?
Essentially, it was very similar to how such projects are handled today. There was detailed planning, close coordination with the architect, and a step-by-step implementation carried out by the various trades.
