The project is part of the International building exhibition IBA Heidelberg, which focuses on the questions of science, architecture and the city in the 21st century. Our project addresses the questions in the building’s dedication and also by implementing two research projects in the planning process, it uses the opportunity to generate transferable knowledge.
DGJ Architektur supported the project in a cooperative design and development process since 2015. Due to the close dialogue with the client we have developed an innovative housing typology that allows flexible use and adaptation of the apartments in time and space. The basic layout of the apartment consists of a common area in the centre with individual rooms and facility areas surrounding. The individual rooms consist of two parts: a private core zone of 7sqm and a flexible zone of 7sqm, which is initially not spatially separated from the common area of the apartment. The flexible zone can be modified by a room divider (table, shelf), sliding doors or a more solid wall and door, according to the individual wishes and inhabitants. The construction system allows for easy use to open, close and move the inner walls. Thus, the building becomes an adaptable space in which the individual inhabitants and housing communities can reconfigure and negotiate the space requirements.
The project is part of the program “Variowohnungen” of the German Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) in the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR) and is additionally funded by the program “Holz Innovativ” of the state of Baden-Württemberg. “Holz Innovativ” is financed with funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and funds from the state Baden-Württemberg.
Project development, design and construction:
2015 – 2023
Gross Floor Space:
ca. 7.198 sqm
KG 300+400:
15.000.000 Euros round
Client:
Collegium Academicum GmbH
Photographer:
Thilo Ross
Prizes and awards:
- Part of the International Building Exhibition (IBA) Heidelberg “Wissen | schafft | Stadt” (2012 – 2022).
- “Exemplary Building” 2023, award from the Baden-Württemberg Chamber of Architects.
- Baden-Württemberg Timber Construction Prize 2024.
- CONSTRUMAT Awards 2024 “Sustainability”, winner of the audience award.
- State Prize for Building Culture Baden-Württemberg 2024 in the “Process and Initiative” category of the Ministry of Regional Development and Housing.
- German Building Owner Award 2024.
- Baden Architecture Award 2023 in the category “Ecological building”.
- DAM Prize 2025 (inclusion on the shortlist and in the publication “Architekturführer Deutschland 2025”, DOM publishers, Berlin).
- Finalist for the German Sustainability Award Architecture 2024 (DNP).
