Located on a former industrial site in Basel, this new housing complex envisions a more sustainable, adaptable form of co-living that can expand with the community.

Stereo Architektur designed the apartment block to reimagine urban living, and reposition housing as ‘a basic need and not as an object of speculation’. Wohnhaus Abakus comprises individual homes arranged around a shared courtyard, each of which can be adjusted in size depending on residents’ needs – for example, adding a bedroom for a new family member. Homes have access to balconies, and living spaces feature huge sloping windows.

Abakus can also be rearranged into flat-shares, consisting of up to 10 separate rooms – all without the need for additional building work. The studio hopes this opens the block up to accommodate the needs of different kinds of residents.

Stereo Architektur used timber construction, to make the block more climate-friendly, and planned outdoor spaces to boost biodiversity. All residents have access to a roof garden, as well as the ground floor courtyard, intended to encourage people to socialise.

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