WG 2050 (shard flat 2050) explores the idea of radically shared living and creates a tangible model to start a discourse about living in the future. New domestic appliances and social dynamics emerge from a city, where the existing living space is evenly divided among the entire population.
It is 2050, Vienna has grown into a city of 2.1 million. With the experience of one of the most successful social living projects - the Gemeindebau - the viennese government decides to take the next big step - Growing Through Shrinking. The entire living space is divided among all inhabitants. Each person gets exactly 30m² and are encouraged to group together to expand.
One person has 15m², two living together can have 30m² and a family of three 45m². Therefore, more and more people decide to live in communities. Several people living together decreases the energy needed for heating and as many commodities such as bathrooms, kitchen, tableware, sofas can be shared, it also saves resources. Furthermore, it fights the fear of becoming isolated in big cities.
Among the many residents signing up for this campaign, are Lee and Gertrude. One freshly moved out of the parents home and one elderly living alone decided to group up to share the flat.
Living in a confined space requires privacy, communication and an understanding of sharing. Lee and Gertrude came up with a few hacks. The interior landscape is fluid and highly flexible. The space in the room adjust itself to the position of the furnitures. A zick zack dividing wall maximises wall surface and all home appliances are accessible from both sides.
How does the living dynamic look like? What are the advantages and disadvantages of communal living? Lee and Gertrude documented their experience.
A fridge with two doors but on opposite sites
The two share a fridge. It can be accessed from both sides and connects the rooms over food.
Usually, the furniture and home appliances are divided, so that each side can use half of it. What happens when one side needs more of one furniture?
The orientation of an apartment is very important and should fit with ones lifestyle. In Lee and Gertrude’s apartment the zigzag wall in the middle has a transparent top to let light travel from one side to the other. However, this can also lead to conflicts, what compromises will Lee and Gertrude find?
Two years after initiating the project, the report "nachGefragt" visits, Lee and Gertrude, and takes a look at what life is like in a shared flat for young and old.
WG 2050 (shard flat 2050) explores the idea of radically shared living and creates a tangible model to start a discourse about living in the future.
