Berlin Cooperative
POST-GRADUATE SPECULATIVE PROJECT
This project was born out of an interest in alternatives. Alternative developments, alternative financial models, and alternative ways of living. There are two forces in residential architecture: the concept of 'home' is emotional, sentimental, unique; but its development sees financialization, investment, and returns. The latter, often, leads the former. Can we imagine an alternative?
The project involved self-directed research into a variety of co-operative housing models, - in their spatial aspects, sure, but in their organizational and financial models in particular.
Several buildings in Neukölln, Berlin, have suffered a fire, and are severely damaged or destroyed altogether. The task is to imagine re-building the structure while maintaining the concept of 'home' as the priority.
Mapping existing living cooperatives in the CityComparing living cooperatives to population density
Site Study
First, attention is focused on understanding site conditions. Neukolln is a highly-dense neighborhood with a large demand for housing, and openings for available apartments often draw crowds that circle the block of the unit in question. Of course, this drives cost, and in 2020 the city of Berlin froze rent prices for 5 years.
On the other hand
Berlin is also famous for its history of cooperative housing models, and a study of models of cooperation, commoning, and collective living begins.
DESIGNING THE (ECONOMIC) STRUCTURE:
PROPOSING THE COOPERATIVE MODEL