This project for a housing cooperative in Berlin aims to realise a self-determined, communal form of housing with sustainable construction methods at affordable prices. The design translates the guiding principle of social diversity into the building form of an "open circle".

The form of the development picks up on the urban context of buildings lining the streets while occasional openings offer a glimpse into the green areas beyond. The house on the edge of the city dovetails the urban space with the surrounding nature. Two gently folded volumes embrace a green courtyard that opens up to the neighbourhood, the city and the water. Public, communal and private recreational spaces invite residents and neighbours to come together. A bistro, a day-care centre and a residence for people with dementia promote a cross-generational mix of uses for the area.

On each floor several residential units are grouped into clusters. Private flats are rooted in an "Allraum" comprising of living, cooking and outdoor areas for participatory and communal use. As a result of access to the shared space of the “Allraum”, the layout of the private living spaces can be more compact. This model reduces the construction costs and allows for moderate rents thus supporting the social mix in the neighbourhood. In addition to heterogeneously mixed residential units, clusters of micro-apartments for students or assisted living can also be realised, as well as larger family flats.

With a timber-hybrid construction and façades and balconies that are also made of wood, the design relies predominantly on a CO2-positive building material. A modular construction grid allows for almost any number of interior design variants and facilitates future adaptations. The adaptable living model of this design opens up an important potential for future-oriented building in Berlin and provides enduring architecture for generations to come.