• SPOT
  • ABOUT
  • NEWS
  • PROJECTS
  • SPOT
  • ABOUT
  • NEWS
  • PROJECTS

TINY LIVING I 2021 I NORDERSTEDT

CLIENT: City of Norderstedt
TEAM: Ina-Marie Kapitola, Claudia Schmidt, Morgane Martin-Alonzo
COOPERATION: Felix Rebers,
PROGRAMME: Micro Dwelling
STATUS: two-phase planning competition with participation workshop
AWARD: recognition

TINY LIVING NORDERSTEDT

House 1: Vertical Living in a Compact Space
House 1 takes on the challenge of organizing a micro-apartment vertically while ensuring high living quality in a limited space. The living area is spread over two floors, allowing for a more differentiated use and making the apartments suitable for up to two people, such as a couple.
A central staircase and furniture element structures the space, provides storage, and connects both levels. The lower floor is efficiently utilized with custom-built furniture, while the upper level offers room for individual design. Even the space above the stairs is put to use—it can be accessed via a ladder and serves as a loft bed or storage area. Each unit features a private balcony, while ground-floor apartments also include a terrace.
The building is accessed via spacious open walkways that create informal meeting spaces, strengthening the sense of community. The apartments are composed of prefabricated modules, produced under controlled conditions for high quality and efficiency. This modular construction shortens building time and reduces costs compared to conventional methods. A connecting structure links the modules, alternating balconies and walkways on each level, giving the façade a dynamic and vibrant character.

House 2: Barrier-Free Living with Maximum Flexibility
House 2 features a well-structured west-east layout, offering barrier-free apartments that adapt flexibly to residents’ needs. Each unit has a private, enclosed balcony, providing a sheltered outdoor space. Inside, a compact 3.5-square-meter bathroom module divides the apartment into two equal living areas. This flexible layout allows residents to arrange their furniture freely, choosing whether to position their sleeping or working area toward the walkway or the quieter balcony side. The open-plan living and dining area further supports various living concepts.
The generously designed walkway serves not only as an access route but also as a communal space. Each floor features two Sharing Shelves—open shelves offering shared storage for residents. Everyday items such as vacuum cleaners, tools, books, or decorative objects can be placed here for communal use.

House 3: Sustainable Living Through Cluster Apartments
Sustainability in House 3 is primarily achieved through space efficiency. The cluster apartments significantly reduce individual living space consumption to an average of 37 square meters per person while providing access to larger communal areas of up to 92 square meters per unit. Compared to the national average of 47.4 square meters per person, this approach supports a more resource-conscious way of living.
The ground floor includes two larger two-room apartments of 42 square meters each, as well as two smaller two-person clusters. Each of these consists of a core apartment of 20 or 28 square meters plus a shared living area of 14 square meters. The upper floors feature four-person clusters, where four compact core apartments are arranged around a generous communal space. This layout not only encourages social interaction but also enhances spatial efficiency.

HOUSE ONE vertical living in a compact space

HOUSE TWO barrier-Free living with maximum flexibility

HOUSE THREE: sustainable living through cluster apartments