Munich: Pilot project for affordable living concepts in tune with the times!

Munich: Pilot project for affordable living concepts in tune with the times!

A new chapter in housing construction begins in the creative quarter in Munich, where the cooperative housing project “The Big Little House” is taking shape. 29 barrier-free residential units are being built here in modern timber frame construction, as BR.de reports. The rental prices are extremely attractive at 11 euros per square meter, and the rent cannot be canceled. This project is part of 19 initiatives by the Free State of Bavaria to create urgently needed housing.

What is special about this project is the new building type E, which aims to simplify building standards. Architect Rainer Hofmann and his team have made it their mission to circumvent these standards and thus build faster and more cost-effectively. What is particularly noteworthy is that they meet the DIN standard 4109 for sound insulation, which ensures sustainable living comfort.

Efficient building with wood

The advantages of innovative timber construction are evident. The nine-story building will be prefabricated, saving time and costs, and by reducing heating standards the apartments will require smaller radiators. This not only ensures cost-effective real estate development, but also contributes to sustainable urban development. However, there are also concerns about noise and fire protection - aspects that need to be viewed particularly critically within the context of this pilot project.

Construction costs should be reduced by around 10 percent without affecting the standard of living. According to construction manager Martin Wißmann, quality is being maintained despite the cost reductions. The project is scheduled to be completed in autumn 2026, and given the current housing shortage in Munich, this could provide welcome relief.

Timber construction congress as a platform for innovations

Exciting developments in timber construction will also be discussed at the South German Timber Construction Congress 2024. On July 10, 2024, a forum for experts and interested parties will once again be offered in Fellbach near Stuttgart. The event begins with a welcome by Prof. Dr. h.c. Heinrich Köster from the Technical University of Rosenheim and offers numerous lectures that examine timber construction as a promising construction method.

Topics such as “Building with fewer standards – the new type of building” will be presented by renowned experts, promoting an exchange about current challenges and solutions. Prof. Stefan Krötsch from Konstanz University of Applied Sciences will discuss the advantages of the new building types, and participants can look forward to in-depth discussions. Such events help the construction industry in Germany break new ground and develop innovative solutions for future housing needs.

Overall, it shows that both the project in Munich and the upcoming congress in Fellbach have the potential to take timber construction in Germany to a new level. With a good sense of the needs of the times, they could make an important contribution to creating living space and promoting more sustainable construction.