Abstract
During the housing crisis of the 1920s, the German concept Existenzminimum (minimum dwelling) was developed and applied to the construction of public social housing. It was considered a design laboratory, where research, design, and experimentation would focus on a unique goal: create a space-efficient affordable housing typology, based on minimum quality standards. Empirical evidence indicates a renewed interest in alternative design solutions and minimum dwelling approaches over the last decade: examples include micro-housing solutions and collaborative housing models. This is due to the current affordable crisis and the increasing trend of urbanisation. However, little is known about the current interpretation of Existenzminimum. What does the concept entail today and how has it developed? This article investigates if and how Existenzminimum is currently applied: first, it unfolds the core design principles of the original Existenzminimum. Then, these principles are used to assess if and how existing affordable or low-cost housing approaches are current (re)interpretations of the concept. Finally, the article proposes a definition for a contemporary Existenzminimum, arguing that a better understanding and awareness of the concept can help urban planners, designers, policy-makers and citizens in developing alternative affordable housing solutions.
Highlights
Housing affordability is “concerned with securing some given standard of housing at a price or a rent which does not impose, in the eyes of some third party an unreasonable burden on household incomes” (Maclennan & Williams, 1990, p. 9)
It is directly connected to housing quality: the physical conditions of housing, which allow the household to achieve a quality living standard, are key to evaluate and provide affordable housing
The previous section confirms that innovative design is showing—once again—its potential towards affordable housing provision and that Existenzminimum is a valid concept worth exploring in our days
Summary
Housing affordability is “concerned with securing some given standard of housing (or different standards) at a price or a rent which does not impose, in the eyes of some third party (usually government) an unreasonable burden on household incomes” (Maclennan & Williams, 1990, p. 9). Existenzminimum is a concept that was developed in Germany in the early twentieth century to set the conditions for a dignified and healthy existence, including access to food, clothing, medical care, and housing, assured by a defined minimum level of income. It is one of those German concepts that can hardly be translated into other languages; the direct translation into English would be ‘minimum subsistence’ or ‘subsistence level’, these expressions do not accurately illustrate the progressive ideology of the concept. The current trend of urbanisation is reducing the available space in cities Recognising both the relevance and urgency of addressing these issues, we suggest that Existenzminimum is an imperative design approach for developing new affordable housing solutions. The aim is to propose a more accurate and updated definition of Existenzminimum and to illustrate the socio-economic benefits of using this concept in contemporary housing, arguing that a better understanding and awareness of the concept can influence urban planners, designers, policy-makers and citizens to develop alternative affordable housing solutions
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