Versatile and affordable housing through open building and cooperative commissioning

Abstract

In the context of sustainable housing design the ambition arises to realize dwellings resilient towards the ever changing multiplicity of society and its demands towards a home. Realizing accessibility to affordable and suitable housing for various household constellations as well as programmatic, spatial and social versatility are key principles to achieve this aspiration.
A case study analysis of Holunderhof, Kalkbreite and WagnisART leads to the conclusion that a combination between architecturally influenced floor-space efficiency with a high level of spatial quality and cooperative ownership can achieve programmatic and social versatility while guaranteeing long-term affordability for low- and average income households.
Evaluating the characteristics concerning versatility and affordability of Balance Uster, Patch22 and San Riemo, which can be categorized as Open Building concepts, portrays how this approach successfully provides the possibility to subdivide and adapt initially large apartments into various dwelling types also allowing for future different non-housing functions. Since this concept relays largely on individual personalization and private ownership, long-term affordability is unlikely.
Combining the advantages of modular adaptability with affordable cooperative housing for lower income groups as realized at San Riemo is a possible hybrid approach, but shows disadvantages in unfortunate floorplan layouts with dark and inefficient spaces.