Living Together: A New Concept for Mönchberg’s Village Center
Dorina Rohm, Marianne Alejandra Cruz Núñez
The design is intended as a response to the unique character of Mönchberg—a place defined by community, closeness, and everyday interaction. On the lively village square with its fountain, a multigenerational house is being built that embraces and further develops these qualities, blending naturally into the local fabric.
The structure is divided into two clearly distinguishable buildings: the Square House and the Garden House. The Square House frames the village square and serves as the ensemble’s focal point, while the Garden House stands quietly amid the greenery. Both structures are based on the same square floor plan with dimensions of 3.20 × 3.20 m, but differ in size, character, and appearance. The Square House forms the main structure and serves as the central access point for both houses. All residents enter the building from the village square via a shared entrance area that, as a social hub, enlivens the square and fosters encounters. A generously open-plan ground floor forms the heart of the building and provides space for communal activities. A large communal kitchen invites residents to cook together, complemented by additional flexible spaces for intergenerational interaction.
The garden house is accessible via a shared pergola situated between the two buildings. The pergola not only provides access but also serves as a social outdoor space, creating usable gathering areas for the residents of both buildings. On the two upper floors of the Platzhaus, the symmetrical structure and clear grid layout provide space for four small apartments per floor. Two units share service areas, forming a communal living arrangement similar to a shared apartment. A total of up to 16 people can live here. The structure is designed flexibly so that traditional apartments can be created as needed; two wheelchair-accessible units are also possible. The two-story garden house complements the offering with apartments featuring a traditional floor plan. Here, units for three people each are planned per floor. The quiet location surrounded by greenery allows for secluded living while maintaining a connection to the community.
Structurally, the design is based on a timber-frame construction. Particular emphasis is placed on using a single type of material and ensuring the building’s dismantlability. The goal is to make all components reusable. The structural joints are designed as pure wood-to-wood connections and require no metal fasteners. Bracing walls are connected to the adjacent columns via Xfix in a force-fit manner, ensuring a clear and sustainable load-bearing structure.
Supervisors: Visiting Professor Jana Nowak (ITKE) & Visiting Professor Simon Jüttner (IBK)