An Oldambtster farmhouse is a farm type in which the dwelling and the barn sit directly in line with one another, with the ridge of the house running uninterrupted over the barn. The type is found mainly in the Oldambt region, the Groningen and Drenthe peat colonies, and in East Frisia across the German border.
Characteristics
- Continuous ridge — house and barn are the same height and form one long volume
- Krimpen — the house is narrower than the barn; the setback in the side walls that bridges this difference is called a krimp
- Threshing floor to the front — the barn floor runs through to the front part of the barn
- Cart doors in the setback — double doors in the krimp, a signature of this type
- Large barn volume — matching the arable farming of the region
- Formal front elevation — on prosperous farms richly detailed and symmetrically composed
Compared with the kop-hals-romp farmhouse
| Oldambtster | Kop-hals-romp | |
|---|---|---|
| House-to-barn junction | Direct, one continuous ridge | Via a narrow link (the “neck”) |
| Side wall | Setback (krimp) | Clearly separated volumes |
| Cart doors in the setback | Yes | No |
| Farming type | Predominantly arable | Often livestock or mixed |
Both types belong to the northern or Frisian house group, which also includes the stolp farmhouse and the Frisian stelp. The distinction developed gradually, so transitional forms exist in practice.
Building points
- Long spans — the timber frame of the barn carries a wide roof plane; check frame joints and post feet for rot
- Shallow foundations — old farmhouses often sit on shallow footings, and differential settlement between house and barn is common
- Insulating the barn — a roof plane of this size is a major cost; decide deliberately whether to heat the whole volume or only an inserted dwelling
- Heritage status — many examples are listed, so changes to elevations, roof and layout require consent
Related terms
- Farmhouse
- Kop-hals-romp farmhouse
- Timber frame
- Threshing floor
- Vernacular architecture
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.