The modular construction of a new concept of micro apartments has started today in Germany. This concept, developed by Arup, Berlinovo Immobilien GmbH and other experts, was created to better meet the high demand for affordable student housing in Berlin.
The first construction project on Storkower Straße in the district of Lichtenberg is part of a plan that aims to build a total of 2,500 apartments by 2020. The development will provide approximately 2,400m² of living space with 129 micro apartments- which come fully equipped with a kitchenette and bathroom and have a floor area of 16 m² - and will be completed by the start of next year’s summer semester.
The project was designed following a modular construction concept for micro apartments. The so-called “technically optimized prototype” (TOP) can be implemented with different building materials including concrete, steel and also timber, which allows for a larger circle of potential bidders for the construction of the building. This technique significantly reduces the construction time in comparison to conventionally built buildings and allows for flexible alternative use during a life expectancy of 40 years and more.
Thanks to this technique, today’s student accommodation could easily be converted to senior homes of tomorrow. Another possible application of the modular construction concept could be to provide refugee accommodation.
"Our technically optimized prototype is ideal for such an application. Refugee accommodation could be built within a very short time period and used immediately. A long-term alternative use would easily be possible due to the high degree of flexibility." Jan Kertscher, Project Manager at Arup Berlin