Residential development in Neukölln's south: unveiling a fresh architectural community
In the heart of Neukölln, Berlin, a new residential quarter is taking shape, revolutionising the concept of affordable and eco-friendly housing. The Greenfields Buckow project is leveraging cross-laminated timber (CLT) and modular wooden construction to build around 900 apartments, aiming for a significantly lower carbon footprint [1].
The use of CLT and modular wooden construction offers numerous benefits. CLT involves layering wood panels crosswise to create strong, prefabricated building modules, allowing for faster and more precise construction compared to traditional concrete methods. Modular construction also enables efficient off-site manufacturing, reducing waste and construction time on-site [1].
The environmental benefits of this approach are substantial. Wood stores carbon, so using large volumes of CLT reduces overall CO2 emissions compared to traditional concrete or steel construction. Prefabrication and modular methods minimise construction waste and resource use. Furthermore, the project aims for a near CO2-free neighbourhood by combining timber structures with solar energy and green urban design, promoting sustainability in both building and operation phases [1].
However, challenges remain. While not detailed specifically for Greenfields Buckow, typical challenges with CLT and modular timber buildings include fire safety regulations, acoustic insulation, and durability concerns over time. Urban multi-residential projects require careful planning to meet these challenges while maintaining sustainability goals. Scaling up CLT use needs a reliable supply chain of sustainable wood and innovation in construction logistics [1].
Elsewhere in Berlin, the Funkytown district is being created in Oberschöneweide, Treptow-Köpenick, set to be completed in 2025. Meanwhile, in the Buckower Felder district, the construction site is a new development area on a 16-hectare site, with the central piece being construction field V, which is 8800 square meters in size. Five wooden residential buildings will be grouped around a large community garden [1].
The houses in the Buckower Felder district are designed with sustainability in mind. The wooden modules are bound together to store approximately 2,900 tons of CO2. The facade of one house is made of pine and coated with a water-based stain. Moreover, these houses can be dismantled into their individual parts and reused in an environmentally friendly manner [1].
To ensure energy efficiency, the new district will be heated via a heat exchanger installed in the pressure line, which extracts heat energy from wastewater. The project's principle of circular building is further demonstrated by the absence of cars on the Angerplatz in the Buckower Felder district [1].
Manfred Schneider, managing director of the Gesellschaft für betreutes Wohnen und soziales Wohnungsmanagement (GbW), is carrying out the Greenfields Buckow project. GLS Bank and Bürgerstadt AG won the tender for the development of construction field V [1].
The Greenfields Buckow project is a testament to Berlin's commitment to sustainable living. By embracing CLT and modular wooden construction, the city is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also pioneering near-CO2-free large-scale urban housing. The project serves as a model for other cities seeking to balance affordable housing and environmental responsibility.
[1] Partner and Partner Architecture. (n.d.). Greenfields Buckow. Retrieved from https://www.partner-architecture.de/en/projects/greenfields-buckow/
- The Greenfields Buckow project, carried out by Manfred Schneider, is utilizing cross-laminated timber (CLT) and modular wooden construction to build eco-friendly housing in Berlin, aiming to revolutionize the concept of affordability.
- In the Funkytown district of Berlin, set to be completed in 2025, houses are being designed with sustainability in mind, using CLT for energy efficiency, and modular construction to minimize waste and construction time.
- The use of CLT and modular wooden construction in both projects, Greenfields Buckow and Funkytown, not only promotes a sustainable lifestyle, but also serves as a form of financing, as GLS Bank and Bürgerstadt AG were the winners of the tender for the development of construction field V in the Greenfields Buckow project.
