Self-build housing co-operative “Baugruppe Adlershof GbR“ intends to construct passive houses
Adlershof Projekt GmbH have started planning the development of 700 new residential units in the area “Wohnen am Campus” in Adlershof. Construction engineer Frank Müller from Berlin has designed six houses with a total of 80 residential units. Müller specialises in energy-saving passive houses whose supporting structures are made of wood. The buildings are a result of his previous experiences – and earn him praise throughout the world. In Russia, Müller experienced how complicated it is to generate energy. In the USA, he saw energy being wasted. And in Cuba,he learned what happens, if no energy is available.
For Adlershof, he designed classical five-storey town houses with light-coloured facades, large windows and terraces. Three similar buildings were previously built in the old meatpacking area in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg district. Seen from outside, one would not be able to guess at the buildings’ intelligent interior design.
All main structures of exterior and interior walls and the roof are made of wood: namely pine and spruce from renewable forests in Austria. After mechanical drying and in order to make it suitable for construction purposes, the timber is glued and laminated. The elements thus become more durable and flexible than steel or concrete, even though they are thinner. As a consequence, the flats in many cases do not require more than one single main wall, and the floor plan may be changed according to individual needs. What is more, the wooden structures do not deform.
Instead, they provide for good sound insulation and high fire safety and allow for a swift construction process. The standard design includes a controlled ventilation system, a balcony or terrace, a lift, oak flooring and accessibility throughout. The wooden structures and triple-glazed windows provide for efficient heat and noise protection. Heating costs are below one Euro per square metre and year.
Currently, Müller and his partner Jürgen Henkel are preparing the project together with Ute Hübener and Christof Hamm from Adlershof Projekt GmbH. As Adlershof is known to be an innovative place in many ways, it seemed self-evident that Müller’s innovative houses should be set up here, too. As soon as a self-build has formed, the project will take off.
by Babara Woithe