Sustainable Dwelling in Small Apartments

The average living space per person has been continuously growing over the past years. This additionally increases the environmental impact. Knowing that the building sector represents one of the largest polluters, we need to investigate alternative ways of living.
From a special view we ask, how a reduction of energy and space consumption without a renouncement of both, individual spatial quality and vital common spaces, might be possible.
The Norderstedt Project proposes an architectural housing design with the focus on small flats used by singles or couples, whereby the quality of common areas seek to compensate the small individual spaces. We choose a system of prefabricated wooden modules and combine them with a steel structure that is an arcade and a common space. In order to achieve maximum use in the 40sqm flats, areas are coded multifunctionally. Being right in front of a flat, the common arcade becomes an extended private space and the kitchen is simultaneously a corridor between two rooms. Despite of its small size, the provided flat does not loose essential qualities of a “big” flat: two-sided natural lightning, two-sided ventilation, two separated living spaces, altogether a certain spatial complexity. A box separates the two almost identical rooms that differ mainly in their orientation and degree of privacy. Furthermore, it provides all utility functions: it inhibits a kitchen, a bathroom and a storage. Additionally, it is equipped with functions that provide a surplus space: a fold-out worktop, a fold-out ironing board or an integrated ladder that leads to an additional storage space above. The raw clay wall with its integrated heating system provides a pleasant indoor climate in terms of both, heat and humidity. The prefabricated shed roof and the south facade are solar active, whereas the energy supply exceeds the demand by far.