4.
White House
Passage between the houses
The Octagonal Room
The White House
The Wendelstörferhof
Second-Floor Vestibule & Passageway Between the Two Houses
The layout of the Wendelstörferhof largely mirrors that of the Reichensteinerhof, with a symmetrical sequence of rooms aligned along the Rhine-facing façade.
​
The vestibule features an oak staircase with two carved newel posts; the handrail was crafted in a single sweep around a circular oculus, lending the structure the fluid motion of a spiral staircase.
Oktogon
A particularly remarkable space is the Oktogon — an octagonal room lit by a window set in the corner of the courtyard.
This room does not appear in Samuel Werenfels’ original plans, suggesting it was added at the specific request of the patron.
The wooden floor once featured 19th-century painted decoration. The red paneling adorned with gilt moldings is already referenced in the construction ledger.
The vaulted ceiling, decorated by Frohweis, displays leafy garlands and a small central flame motif.
It is likely that this room served as a study, as Jakob Sarasin’s library was located in the adjacent Yellow Cabinet, accompanied by nine plaster busts and a collection of Gipstäfelein (decorative plaster plaques).
​
Credit:
Ms. Sarah Hummel-Smit
Architect specializing in historical monuments and heritage conservation