Building & Living:
Platform for
Networking, Synthesis
and Transfer

The goal

The aim of the Building & Living platform is to identify the obstacles to existing innovations for more affordable housing and to provide key impulses for the change of the construction sector. In addition to affordability, the criteria of sustainability and quality (essential living comfort) are also considered.

The project is focusing on existing building structures in urban areas. Being discussed are solution options and impulses for reusing, adding storeys, building extensions and other types of redensification.

More about the project

Expert article: Acceptance of urban and settlement planning

Prof. Dr. Drs. h.c. Ortwin Renn, Scientific Project Lead of the Bauen & Wohnen platform, addresses the question of “how acceptance of sustainable urban and settlement planning can be conceptually defined and empirically assessed” in an expert article. He emphasizes that integrative urban planning requires the “consent of the actors involved,” including citizens. What matters most to them was explored within the Bauen & Wohnen project through two citizens’ councils. Based on their design and results, Ortwin Renn identifies four key factors of acceptance.

Voices from the project

© Elisabeth Pfahler-Scharf

Petra Wurmer-Weiß, Consultant, Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Advice Center (BEN) of the Bavarian Chamber of Architects, on the subject of Sustainable densification in urban areas

"With increasing urban densification, the requirements for the quality of open spaces and for climate adaption measures are also rising. Dense building concepts therefore require addidional solutions for heat protection and cooling, as well as sufficient areas for rainwater infiltration. Green facades or roofs can at least partially compensate for higher density and contribute to sustainable urban development. Such requirements need to be anchored in law. Simply relaxing building regulations in favor of more housing without considering climatic and social impacts would be too short-sighted.
© www.ingasommer.de

Jens Lütjen, Managing Partner, Robert C. Spies Gewerbe und Investment GmbH & Co. KG, on the subjectof Consequences of legal changes for municipalities

"The construction industry, including municipal building authorities, needs pragmatic and stable framework conditions – this can stimulate construction activity.
It is positive development, at the political level, efforts are made to reduce complexity – for example through the Bau-Turbo, the Gebäudetyp-E or the Hamburg Standard. However, these approaches also need to be implemented within operational administrative structures. For this, those responsible require legal certainty for their decisions. Municipalities already have good instruments at their disposal, but they need to be empowered to use them more effectively as a flexible applicable toolbox."
© Huber & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG

Josef Huber, Managing Partner, Huber & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG, on the subject of Easier building in existing structures

“Regulations for existing buildings – with the aim of facilitating conversion and refurbishment – should urgently be integrated into the Model Building Code. It is essential to ensure that no other hard‑to‑meet requirements are introduced elsewhere that would once again make building in the existing stock more difficult.”
© ByAK

Jutta Heinkelmann, Housing, Standards, and Regulations Officer at Bavarian Chamber of Architects, on the subject of Easier building in existing structures

“The simplified approach to building in existing structures should be incorporated into all state building codes (LBOs). Many federal states are currently seeking to include provisions that facilitate and privilege construction within existing buildings in their respective LBOs. With corresponding amendments to the Model Building Code (MBO), developments are moving in the same direction. The goal should be harmonization - that is, aligning the LBOs with regar to their regulations on existing building.”
© Frank-Thomas Kronsbein

Frank-Thomas Kronsbein, Product Manager Residential Buildings, GOLDBECK Technologies GmbH, on the subject of Urban densification

“A model for densification must be developed for society as a whole - it should be developed in a dialogue with the citizens. This way, densification construction projects can be implemented based on a shared consensus and in line with the needs of the urban population.”

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Facts and figures: dena Building Report 2026 (excerpt)¹

Residential building stock by building type in 2024
In 2024, the residential building stock was around 19.7 million buildings: The structure of the German building sector is dominated by single-family homes, which make up 13.5 million buildings (68.5 per cent) and thus have the largest share. There are around 3.5 million multi-family houses (17.8 per cent).

(Source: dena Building Report 2026/Federal Statistical Office 2025)

Number and reasons for demolished residential buildings in 2024

In 2024, around 3,500 residential buildings were recorded as demolished (4 percent fewer than in the previous year). With a share of 57 percent, new construction or replacement buildings were the most common reason for demolition, followed by changes of use at 20 percent and the creation of open spaces at 9 percent.

(Source: dena Building Report 2026 / Federal Statistical Office, 2025, 2022)

Completed Housing Units by Client Type in 2024
In 2024, private clients and housing companies were the largest commissioners of residential buildings, with a total of around 183,000 housing units, accounting for 84.8 percent. They were followed by commercial enterprises in the trade sector, with a share of 6.1 percent. Although public-sector clients accounted for only 4.3 percent of commissions, the number of completed dwellings—9,400 units—has increased sixfold compared to the beginning of data collection in 2001.

(Source: dena Building Report 2026, Federal Statistical Office 2025)

¹dena Building Report 2026

Building Type E: Key issues paper by BMJV and BMWSB

Building Type E is intended to make construction simpler, faster and—above all—more affordable. By dispensing with certain construction standards, building costs can be reduced. To enable contracting parties to agree on and implement Building Type E in the future without uncertainty, the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection and the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building have outlined the framework in a joint key issues paper.

Review: Existing Buildings as an Opportunity!
Building & Living at the 18th National Urban Development Policy Congress

The Building & Living platform contributed with its expert forum titled “Existing buildings as an opportunity! Social and technological innovations for more affordable and sustainable living space in the neighbourhoods.” Around 140 participants attended the session, where the current results and discussions from the working groups were presented and discussed.

Best practice:

From administrative headquarters to senior living

Where offices once stood, life has now moved in: The former administrative building of GESOBAU AG in the Märkisches Viertel neighbourhood of Berlin-Reinickendorf has been transformed into a modern residential and commercial property – with 66 new and six existing flats, with barrier-free floor plans and space for a new neighbourhood. This provides, among other things, age-appropriate and affordable options for senior citizens, while the surrounding quarter benefits from new services. The project shows how conversion rather than new construction can bring about lasting change in urban neighbourhoods. You can find out more about the conversion of the GESOBAU administration building and other exciting examples with the potential to create affordable housing in existing buildings on our real-world laboratory mapping platform.

The project is a prime example of how rebuilding instead of new construction can sustainably strengthen urban neighbourhoods. More information on the reuse of the former GESOBAU administrative building, along with additional inspiring examples with potential for creating affordable housing within the existing building stock, can be found in our Reallabor Mapping.

Go to the mapping

Real-world laboratory:

Sonneneck – a neighbourhood for all generations

Grey prefabricated buildings in Dresden's Sonneneck neighbourhood are being transformed into bright, inviting residential buildings – with balconies, lifts and warm colours. The aim is to create affordable living space with apartments of appropriate sizes for families, couples and singles, as well as barrier-free living space for senior citizens. Playgrounds and green spaces are also being created. Some of the renovations and restructures are being carried out while the buildings are still occupied, with residents being kept informed regularly in writing and through on-site visits.

Revitalising existing buildings and their surroundings and creating a mix of affordable and liveable housing: more examples of real-world laboratories with the potential to create affordable housing in existing buildings and best practices can be found on our digital map, the real-world laboratory mapping.

Go to the mapping

Real-world lab Mapping by Bauen & Wohnen and KIT now online

How can real-world laboratories contribute to creating affordable housing in urban areas? We developed a new mapping tool with scientific support from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). An interactive map showcases real-world labs and selected innovative best practice examples in Germany.

To the mapping

Potential for apartment swapping in existing housing stock

Through apartment swapping, up to 11.5 million square meters of living space could be unlocked each year — equivalent to around 357,000 rooms. Sixty-five percent of all tenants would be willing to participate if a suitable offer were available.

Learn more

Loft living space potential: 429,252 additional flats…
... could be built under and on German roofs in the future - according to a study by the Berlin-based technology company Leaftech.

Infill development through extensions of existing buildings offers clear advantages over new construction

Land use, resource consumption, CO₂ emissions, and especially building costs are significantly lower. Average costs per square meter of gross floor area:
- Roof conversion: €1,797
- Extension: €1,738
- New construction: €2,765

© David Ausserhofer

“People should feel comfortable in urban areas and be able to afford an adequate quality of life. This requires the removal of unnecessary regulations and a housing policy that focuses on social equality.”

Prof. Dr. Drs. h.c. Ortwin Renn
Former Scientific Director, Research Institute for Sustainability, acatech Executive Board, Scientific Project Manager “Building & Living” platform

Learn more
© Julius Gnoth

“Building in existing structures will become the new industry standard - according to Sarah Dungs, Chairwoman of the Association for Building in Existing Contexts (Verband für Bauen im Bestand e.V.) and Managing Director of the Greyfield Group. During the webinar "Building in Existing Structures: seizing opportunities, overcoming challenges," she explained where CO₂ emissions originate in the construction industry, how resources can be conserved, and why a new mindset is essential for working with existing buildings."

Sarah Dungs
Chairwoman of the Association for Building in Existing Contexts (Verband für Bauen im Bestand e.V.) and
Managing Director of the Greyfield Group

Read the article
© Ulrich Mayer

“This is a highly relevant issue: how can we create new living space not on ‘greenfield sites’ with even more sealing of land, but by using and densifying the already built environment, sealed areas and already built infrastructure?”

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stefan Winter 
Ordinarius of the Chair of Timber Structures and Building Construction, TU Munich,
Lead of working group 1 "Building materials, construction and energy“

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© Martin Braun

“We can only create a future worth living in if problems and their causes are analysed from multiple perspectives and if we take targeted measures to address current dysfunctional contexts and overcome existing obstacles. It is important to bring together knowledge from different areas: from planning, construction and operating, science and practice, experts and people in the neighbourhood.”

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Agnes Förster
Head of the Chair of Planning Theory and Urban Development, RWTH Aachen,
Lead of working group 2 "Urban and neighbourhood development“

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© Schöck Bauteile GmbH

"I am particularly passionate about the connection between sustainability and affordable housing. The Building & Living Platform offers the ideal opportunity to bring our expertise into the discussion and work together on solutions for the construction industry of tomorrow.“

Dr.-Ing. Daniela Kiefer
Structural Engineer for Bridges, Building Construction and Construction Products, SMP Ingenieure Im Bauwesen GmbH,
Lead of working group 1 "Building materials, construction and energy“

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