This Renovation Story focuses on a once dark and cramped home, built in the 1920s as part of a working-class settlement in Germany’s Ruhr area, which was on the verge of demolition. Instead of tearing it down, inventive solutions were applied to transform the space into a bright and spacious family home. The renovation preserved key architectural elements such as the red brick facade and the original tiled floor, while creating additional living space.

By opting for renovation over new construction, the project not only reduced costs by more than 50%, but it also significantly cut CO2 emissions. This approach demonstrates how adapting existing structures can be both economically and environmentally beneficial. The transformation proved that preserving a building’s character can coexist with modern needs and sustainability.

“Like a Backpack” serves as a model for the future development of single-family homes. While this typology is often considered inefficient in terms of land and resource use, this renovation shows how embracing existing buildings can lead to innovative, affordable, and environmentally responsible solutions for the housing sector.

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