Revolutionary Wooden Modular Home: Germany’s New Circular Living Prototype Unveiled

Revolutionary Wooden Modular Home: Germany’s New Circular Living Prototype Unveiled

House Anton II: A Dismantlable, Glue-Free Timber Residence in Germany

In Augsburg, Germany, a prototype for sustainable living has emerged: House Anton II. Designed by Manfred Lux in collaboration with Antxon Cánovas, this monolithic cube in a traditional orchard redefines ecological architecture with it’s dismantlable, glue-free timber construction.

The design prioritizes adaptability and resource efficiency, showcasing a digitally fabricated wooden framework that eliminates metal fasteners for complete disassembly and reuse. This approach not only minimizes environmental impact but also offers a flexible housing solution for the future.

Innovative Design and Construction

House Anton II is based on an 80-centimeter structural grid, allowing for variations in length and height. Its serial construction principle makes it scalable as a one-to-three-story dwelling.

The house’s construction reveals itself upon entry, where outwardly angled supports hold visible coffered ceilings. These supports, tilted at 7 degrees, extend the eaves, providing essential shading for the ground-floor windows in summer and protecting the wooden base from splash water.The steep upper-floor roof, angled at 70 degrees, creates a spatial envelope that enhances climatic performance and interior comfort.

Untreated ash wood, sourced from the nearby Siebentisch Forest, aligns with a sustainable design approach.

Circular Construction and Interior Design

The interior of house Anton II is designed for spatial efficiency. Load-bearing elements double as storage solutions. The 60-centimeter-deep ribs of the frame integrate wardrobes and shelves, maximizing space within the 80-square-meter home.

The structure is entirely joinery-based, featuring dovetail-jointed supports and wooden dowels that interlock precisely without adhesives. The dowels also serve as conduits for indirect ceiling lighting, showcasing a blend of functionality and aesthetics.

The design adheres to circular construction principles, utilizing repurposed concrete blocks from silo construction for the foundation. This innovative use of materials reduces waste and embodies the principles of a circular economy.

Despite its unique design, “House Anton II is conceived as part of a scalable housing series,” offering variations in form, cladding (ranging from shingles to thatch or metal), and adaptable layouts.

Looking Ahead: The future of Sustainable Housing

House Anton II presents a compelling vision for the future of sustainable housing. Its emphasis on dismantlable,glue-free construction,resource efficiency,and circular design principles sets a new standard for ecological architecture.

Consider the possibilities: Imagine entire communities built on these principles, where homes can be easily adapted, disassembled, and reused, minimizing environmental impact and creating a more sustainable future. The time to embrace innovative solutions like House Anton II is now. Explore sustainable building options and contribute to a greener future today.

Enumerate three key takeaways about glue-free timber construction, based on architect Sarah Klein’s insights in the Archyde interview

Archyde Interview: A Look Inside the Enduring House anton II

Exploring Glue-Free Timber Construction with Architect Sarah Klein

Here at archyde, we’re always excited too explore innovative approaches to sustainable architecture. Today, we have Sarah klein, a leading expert in timber construction and sustainable building practices, to discuss House Anton II, a fascinating project in Germany.

The Vision behind House Anton II

Archyde: Sarah, welcome! House Anton II is described as a prototype for sustainable living.What initially drew you to this project?

Sarah Klein: Thanks for having me. What immediately caught my attention was its commitment to dismantling and reuse. The glue-free timber construction is a game-changer, allowing for complete disassembly and minimizing environmental impact. It’s truly circular construction in action.

Innovative Design Elements

archyde: The house features an 80-centimeter structural grid and uniquely angled supports. Can you explain the benefits of this design approach?

Sarah Klein: Absolutely.The grid system provides adaptability and scalability. It allows for easy adaptation of the house’s size and layout. The angled supports are ingenious; they provide structural stability, shade the windows, and protect the wooden base from water damage—a beautiful example of form meeting function.

Circular construction and Material Choices

Archyde: House Anton II utilizes untreated ash wood and repurposed concrete blocks. How crucial are these material choices to the project’s sustainability?

Sarah Klein: Material selection is paramount in sustainable design. Using locally sourced,untreated ash wood minimizes the carbon footprint and ensures the wood can be reused or composted at the end of its life. Repurposing concrete blocks is another excellent example of circular economy principles, reducing waste and giving materials a second life.

Interior Design and Spatial Efficiency

Archyde: The interior seems incredibly efficient, with load-bearing elements doubling as storage.How does this maximize space within the relatively compact 80-square-meter home?

Sarah Klein: The integrated storage solutions are a brilliant idea.By incorporating wardrobes and shelves into the structural frame, the design eliminates the need for additional furniture, freeing up valuable floor space and creating a clean, uncluttered living environment.

Dismantlable Design and the Future of Housing

Archyde: The dismantlable, glue-free construction is a key feature. How does this approach contribute to the future of sustainable housing?

Sarah Klein: This is where House Anton II truly shines. Dismantlable design allows for adaptability and reuse. As needs change, the house can be easily reconfigured or even disassembled and rebuilt in a different location. This adaptability is crucial in a world where resource scarcity and environmental concerns are increasingly pressing.

Scalability and Adaptability of Sustainable Housing

Archyde: The article mentions house Anton II as part of a scalable housing series.What does this mean for the potential adoption of similar sustainable homes?

Sarah Klein: The idea of a scalable series is exciting. It suggests that the principles behind House Anton II can be adapted and applied to various housing types and contexts. The ability to customize cladding, layouts, and forms while maintaining the core sustainable design principles makes it a highly versatile and promising solution for the future of housing.

A Thought-Provoking Question for Our Readers

Archyde: Sarah,a question for our readers: what are the key obstacles preventing widespread adoption of dismantleable and reuseable housing,and what steps can be taken to overcome them?

Sarah Klein: That’s a great question. I think a lack of awareness, upfront costs, and regulatory hurdles are all significant challenges. However,with increased education,government incentives,and innovative financing models,we can overcome these obstacles and pave the way for a more sustainable future.

Archyde: Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your insights on House Anton II. it’s a truly inspiring project that offers a glimpse into the future of sustainable housing.

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