November 4, 2024, 5:00 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Today, carriage houses are once again in demand when looking for a home or property. But they were once intended for a different purpose. myHOMEBOOK author and interior designer Odett Schumann takes a closer look at the old building and its history.
You’ve probably heard of a “remise” when looking for an apartment or property. But what is it actually? What’s behind this picturesque-sounding term? myHOMEBOOK takes a closer look at this special building.
What is a carriage house?
The word “Remise” is derived from the French verb “remettre”, which means “to put back” or “to reposition”. Today, the term is more commonly used in Austrian and Swiss-German-speaking regions, while in Germany, it is less frequent. But occasionally, you do come across the term, for example, when looking for an apartment or property. The term ‘Remise’ is an archaic designation for an outbuilding that served primarily economic functions. Such buildings were typically situated at the back of a property.
A carriage house can be a workshop, a garage, or a storage facility such as a shed. This interpretation is particularly common in Austria and Switzerland, where people also talk about trams or fire department sheds. In Germany, ‘Remise’ can also denote one or two-story courtyard buildings found within residential blocks, which continue to serve private or commercial purposes.
The carriage house and its use
The carriage house emerged as a distinct building type in the 19th century, designed as an auxiliary structure for large urban apartment complexes. The building was intended to serve as a shelter for horses and carriages. Subsequently, during the industrial era, the carriage house was utilized to shelter vehicles such as carriages, buses, locomotives, and railroad cars from the elements.
Occasionally, a carriage house featured a second gateway directly across from the main entrance. In inclement weather, one could disembark under cover and enter the building while remaining dry, as the carriage continued on without needing to reverse. Carriage houses frequently included modest living quarters with space for the coachman, saddler, or stable hand. Additionally, carriage house premises were at times employed for horse stabling, often featuring a fireplace suitable for blacksmithing.
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The situation today
Due to regulations prohibiting high-emission commercial activities on predominantly residential properties, carriage houses have undergone conversions over time. Today, the small buildings are used for other purposes, such as cultural purposes, as a restaurant or for living. Some individuals also repurpose them to store personal items, firewood, gardening, and workshop tools or as extra space for private events and guest lodging. Certain carriage houses, free from usage conflicts, continue to function today as originally intended.