Stiftung Umgebindehaus

The Umgebindehaus Foundation is a non-profit, privately established foundation based in Ebersbach-Neugersdorf in Saxony. Its purpose is the preservation and maintenance of endangered Umgebinde and half-timbered houses as well as similar ethnological buildings in Upper Lusatia and adjacent regions. The foundation supports private owners as well as public authorities through consultation, funding of partial repairs, restorations, and emergency stabilization measures. Furthermore, it conducts scientific research, organizes informational and training events, and promotes the international exchange of experiences, particularly with the Czech Republic and Poland.

Our mission is to preserve the rural cultural heritage of the Umgebindehaus architectural style and make it accessible to future generations. We are committed to the acquisition, protection, monument-appropriate restoration, and sustainable continued use of historic half-timbered and log houses. Through expert advice, funding, and public awareness campaigns, we aim to motivate private and public stakeholders to protect and maintain the distinctive construction form of the Umgebindehaus.

The funding programs of the Umgebindehaus Foundation are aimed at private and commercial owners of historic Umgebinde and half-timbered houses, monument protection authorities, craft businesses, as well as municipalities and associations in Saxony and the surrounding regions. Furthermore, the foundation targets professionals and students in monument preservation, architecture, and building science who wish to participate in scientific studies and exchange programs and contribute to research on Umgebinde houses.