PROJECT Affordable Housing & Urban Development
LOCATION Dassow - Germany
AWARD Competition 2nd Prize, 2023
Redefining Rural Living in Dassow
This award-winning design combines affordability with high-quality rural life through three complementary housing typologies: common buildings that foster community integration, modular apartments with private yards and terraces, and detached family houses in five flexible sizes. The adaptable concept balances social interaction, privacy, and long-term livability—qualities that secured its recognition as a competition winner.
Buildings are strategically rotated to align with the road network, ensuring maximum sunlight exposure for all units. This orientation also opens unobstructed views, enhancing residents' connection to the surrounding landscape.
Every housing complex features a private green area, reducing city maintenance costs while providing residents with dedicated outdoor spaces for privacy and relaxation.
Each housing cluster includes greenery, a designated playground or seating area, and in some areas small rainwater harvesting ponds fostering a sustainable and community-friendly environment. The distribution of these green zones is strategically reflected in the urban plan.
The colorful points in the plan represent areas for various open-air activities such as playgrounds, sitting areas, and BBQ spaces. These zones are evenly distributed across the entire area, ensuring accessibility for all residents.
The main idea was to maximize the number of flats with private yards or terraces that receive abundant southern sunlight. In the initial concept (right), six flats share a co-living arrangement while enjoying private greenery and direct sun exposure. By repeating the module (left), twelve units are created, retaining the same benefits while occupying minimal land.
Designed for various living options, the ground floor hosts a three-room flat and three cozy two-room flats, each owning private gardens.
Upstairs, the co-living (WG) units offer a vibrant communal lifestyle: two units each feature three master bedrooms with private bathrooms, a generous living room opening onto a sun-drenched terrace, and a shared kitchen that invites connection.
Beyond private spaces, the building unites residents through shared amenities—technical facilities, an elevator, a laundry room—and crowns it all with a top-floor public room, ready to adapt to any communal or creative purpose.
By arranging the modules in different ways, each cluster can create unique spatial and aesthetic outcomes. These configurations allow flexibility—from compact layouts that save land to expanded forms with terraces and yards—ensuring both individuality and a shared sense of community.
Five variants of family homes are designed, each with a private garden and the flexibility to rent out the first floor either as a whole or as WG units. The houses range from 90 m² to 180 m², offering options for different family sizes and levels of affordability while ensuring quality living and adaptability for every household. Their modular design allows them to be grouped as attached houses, making more effective use of land.
Cluster Section
This project introduces diverse, inclusive, and sustainable housing for everyone in Dassow. where everyone feels at home.
Red Houses:
Apartment modules with varied living options, each flat with private terraces and green areas.
Orange Building:
The community center, hosting public activities that bring urban qualities into the neighborhood.
Blue Houses:
Family homes set back from the main street, offering more privacy and space.
Optimized Building Orientation
To maximize natural light, select buildings were rotated within the road layout. This ensures every unit receives sunlight from the south, east, or west—avoiding predominantly north-facing homes.
For the 346-unit development with 870 required parking spaces, our strategy balances present needs with future mobility trends. We propose providing 50% of the required parking initially, with flexibility for later adjustments. Two parking structures at the main entrances ensure accessibility, while in-between parking areas are designed for future repurposing—supporting a smooth shift toward more sustainable urban living.
The housing layout is carefully designed to maximize open views for most houses and windows, minimizing obstruction from neighboring buildings.
Wind Protection
In Dassow, strong coastal winds mainly come from the west, north, and northwest, often causing winter heat loss.
Natural Windbreaks:
Strategically planted tree barriers reduce wind impact while being positioned to avoid excessive shading on the buildings.
Rainwater Harvesting Ponds:
Capture and store rainwater for irrigation and groundwater recharge, reducing runoff and conserving resources.
Shared Technical & Laundry Rooms:
Six-unit clusters share facilities, optimizing space and lowering construction costs.
Common Building:
A multi-purpose hub with workshops, storage, co-working, and flexible guest/work areas.
Solar Power:
Rooftop PV and thermal systems supply clean energy, with potential for larger-scale solar installations.
District Heating & Systems:
Central heating and ground-source pumps deliver efficient, eco-friendly warmth.
2D Timber Panel System:
Prefabricated timber panels enable fast, cost-effective, and sustainable construction.