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einszueins architektur, an Austrian architectural firm, has won a Bronze World Habitat Award, in partnership with UN Habitat, for pushing the boundaries of sustainable and affordable cohousing. einszueins projects are different because from the outset they are co-designed with future residents and often limited profit developers with sustainability as a top priority.
A shared commitment to reducing carbon has led to innovative uses of local renewable materials, such as straw, timber and clay as well as renewable technologies. This is coupled with sharing knowledge and experiences with others to accelerate the adoption of new pathways to carbon neutrality in construction.
The results are highly affordable and environmentally responsible buildings that meet residents’ aspirations, have low embodied and operational carbon and offer strong social benefits.
Residents’ participation in dreaming, designing and building their homes creates a sense of ownership, social connection, shared goals and strengthens the new community. People from diverse backgrounds, including those on low incomes and refugees, are welcomed with each project tackling social inclusion in their own unique way.
einszueins architektur has developed rigorous life cycle assessment tools to measure the carbon impact of its buildings, and has significantly influenced the housing sector, both in Austria and further afield, inspiring other architects and developers to adopt similar models. The firm’s work has also led to supportive government policies and funding programs for cohousing projects.
David Ireland, CEO of World Habitat, said: “einszueins architektur’s cohousing model answers the question of how we can increase housing affordability and availability, whilst dramatically lowering the carbon cost. It supports ordinary people to play a meaningful and central role in designing, developing and managing their homes and the benefits are multidimensional – for residents, wider society and the environment”
Markus Zilker, partner at einszueins architektur said: “Together with the future inhabitants we develop our co-housing projects with a focus on social cohesion and ecological sustainability. Our aim is to create houses that reflect and translate the principles of sustainability, togetherness and beauty.”
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