Germany explores office conversions to increase affordable housing

In Germany, experts and architects are exploring ways to address the housing shortage by repurposing existing commercial buildings. The acatech platform 'Bauen & Wohnen' suggests that significant potential for affordable housing lies within the urban building stock. According to the ifo Institute, converting office spaces could create approximately 60,000 additional apartments, while expanding office buildings, retail spaces, and parking garages could potentially yield up to 1.7 million new homes.

To realize this potential, experts call for better regulatory frameworks, including simplified construction laws and municipal pre-emption rights. A practical application of this concept is currently being piloted in Hamburg by the architecture collective 'vonwegenleer'. The group is transforming 600 square meters of vacant office space in a former chocolate factory in Hammerbrook into temporary residential units for 15 people. This pilot project aims to utilize existing spaces temporarily to prevent vacancies while avoiding the complexities of permanent structural conversion.