Eco Village Rügen

The Eco Village Masterplan forms an extension to the existing village Streu, located on a peninsula within a lagoon on the island of Rügen. The layout is considering climatic elements such as wind and sun with regards to the orientation of its buildings that are forming three-sided protected courtyards as being typical for the area. It is also drawn up on the traces of an old manor house and its barn buildings.

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Situated on a peninsula within the Baltic island of Rügen on a former East German agricultural co-op site, the Eco village forms an extension to the existing village of Streu.

The modular design based on local vernacular climatic design principles enabled the prefabrication of the nine timber houses, grouped as three for rural communal living around wind-protected courtyards. The Eco Village also comprises a communal garden, e-car sharing and a co-working space. These new functions will be a valuable addition to the existing village, in acting as a binding element between the new and the old.

The former agricultural co-op site was heavily polluted; a local development plan aimed at 5 larger volumes with holiday apartments, which was newly interpreted. The positioning and design of the new three-sided farmsteads was tested through wind simulation software. Climate-responsive design was regarded as key for this wind-exposed area with typically high wind speeds throughout the year, and increasing severe weather events. To enable the modular design and prefabrication, three different building typologies were developed. The main building of each courtyard, type A, is leaning on a local vernacular farmhouse typology, the Hall house. The two flanking buildings on either side belong to the B typology, the barn buildings. In terms of floor plan organization, flexible uses and seasonal living have been steering the design process. With building A, the central hall is a shared living, working and kitchen space connecting both units on each side. In summer, this central space can be fully opened up and is turned into an external covered space, connecting to the surrounding landscape. Visual connections through buildings and façade openings are allowing generous views to the surrounding sea and landscape, in anchoring the buildings to their place and creating an exciting play of light, water and reflections.

Altogether, the buildings offer a resilient mix of flexible and adaptable units for rural cohabitation; by also connecting back to local building culture and heritage. Moreover, the swift erection of the prefabricated timber construction meant less impact on the nature environment.

For the Eco Village, a binding design guidance was developed to not only ensure architectural quality within the area, but to coordinate materiality and construction by giving a palette of natural and recyclable materials and simple lead details. In stating the three building typologies it also ensures the modular design for a high degree of prefabrication. The guidance is hence also aimed at steering the development and maintenance process of the project. Simple floor and wall build-ups with wood fibre insulation and surfaces like polished screed and exposed timber board materials are trying to avoid foils, glue and composite materials as much as possible. No cars, garages or carports, garden huts or fencing is allowed in the area – for natural landscape to slowly grow back into the site.