Wohnprojekt Wien
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
The co-housing project in Vienna's urban development area “Nordbahnhof” promotes sustainable living and working in an intercultural, cross-generational community. A new normality of solidarity and living together as well as dealing with resources is conveyed. With the credo “to live individuality in community”, the communicative architecture creates lively spaces that enable individual retreat, but also diverse encounters.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
The co-housing project Wohnprojekt Wien promotes sustainable living and working in an intercultural, cross-generation community. A new normality of solidarity and living together as well as dealing with resources is conveyed. In conscious consumption, pleasure is combined with an economical use.
The communicative architecture creates living spaces with the credo “to live individuality in community”, which enable security and peace, but also diverse encounters and creativity. Co-determination and democratic decision-making according to the principles of sociocracy are essential values for the project.
A solidarity fund finances, among other things, two small apartments for personal emergencies as well as the guest apartment in which a Syrian family currently lives.
Wohnprojekt Wien was nominated for the Mies van der Rohe Award 2015.
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Please note: We can only grant the EU the rights of use for photo number 3 to 6 for non-commercial communication within the scope of the New European Bauhaus Prize (disclosure to third parties such as sponsors / companies and their commercial use would not be covered). We tried to clarify this question about exploitation rights in advance via contact.prizes@new-european-bauhaus.eu, which unfortunately did not work.
credits: Hertha Hurnaus
Key objectives for sustainability
In case of Wohnprojekt Wien, the topic of sustainability has social, ecological and economic aspects.
Economically, the joint ownership and joint management removes the project from any speculation.
From an ecological point of view, it is a passive house with controlled living space ventilation and photovoltaics. There is a car sharing pool, two cargo bikes, a spacious bike room and - brand new - a shared electric car.
In everyday social life, the community provides support through low-threshold neighborhood help; in a personal emergency, the solidarity fund or the housing options in the solidarity apartments come into play.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
For 7 ½ years the community of now about 100 people who still do workshop weekends together has lived in Wohnprojekt Wien, which is clearly visible and distinctive with the beautiful wood in its facade.
The communicative architecture creates lively spaces that enable security and peace, but also diverse encounters and creativity:
Guest apartments, library, sauna and relaxation room are in a prime location on the top floor with a green terrace. On the ground floor is the kitchen with an adjoining children's play room and open space in the garden.
In the basement there are rooms that are rented out for events, workshops and seminars to residents, but also externally. In addition to the professional paid use, there is also a free provision for social organizations.
The “Salon” is a coffee shop and groceries store in the house, which is run by residents. The Salon has already become a meeting point for the whole neighbourhood.
Key objectives for inclusion
A solidarity fund is voluntarily filled by around half of the residents and brings in 7000-8000 € a year. Among other things, it finances two small apartments: A woman affected by burnout and a refugee were recently accommodated in these solidarity apartments. A Syrian family of four has lived in the guest apartment for six years. Financing plans are currently underway to provide this family with a regular apartment in the house.
In the basement, rooms for events by social organizations are made available free of charge. In this way, desirable initiatives can be supported and made visible with external impact.
Results in relation to category
In Wohnprojekt Wien, sustainable life happens in a diverse community with participation and democratic decisions. Living together is characterized by solidarity and resource-saving consumption.
The communicative architecture creates numerous lively rooms that enable security and calm, but also diverse encounters and creativity.
How Citizens benefit
The “Salon”, the grocery shop in the house run by residents, is a meeting point for the whole quarter. The rooms in the basement are available for external events, whether in a professional or private setting, whether open to the public or for a private party.
The community as a social being forms the hub for private and neighborhood networks.
Innovative character
With its realisation in 2013, Wohnprojekt Wien with all its aspects has become a role model for a new generation of co-housing projects.
