Plattenbau Cottbus

2019

In this design we dealt with the future of living (together) and with living spaces in the city. The aim was to change the existing building for the future and to generate new living spaces. In particular, the prefabricated buildings of the DDR were the focus and were to be further developed using the old stock. The typology of Persian houses with one or more inner courtyards was the inspiration for the design. Back then, these courtyards played a major role and were used both as communal areas and as spaces for various events. They defined the hierarchy between the different parts of the houses and provided an increase in the quality of life in all flats and rooms. Sunlit, bright and spacious rooms in the old Persian houses also increased the quality of living.

It is precisely these features that were missing in the prefabricated buildings of DDR architecture, as the housing shortage in post-war Germany demanded more rational building methods, which resulted in the typical prefabricated building. The resulting lack of living quality is the reason for the idea of redesigning the old prefabricated buildings. In this design, the grid of the existing building of a prefabricated slab construction on the Stadtpromenade in Cottbus and its prefabricated walls were retained and used to create new larger flats. Inspired by the concept of Persian courtyards, starting on the third floor, each floor of the building contains a communal space, which is rotated 90 degrees after every second floor due to the modular construction. The communal areas allow resident to come together, creating and strengthening social relationships.