Living in community: The innovative Arensnest project near Wiesenburg

Living in community: The innovative Arensnest project near Wiesenburg

Amid the discussion about rising rents and the search for affordable housing, alternative housing projects are flourishing in Germany that focus on community and sustainability. A particularly notable example is the “Arensnest” residential project, which is located between Schlamau and Benken in Potsdam-Mittelmark. 16 adults and ten children currently live here in harmony.

In the “Arensnest” people not only live together, but also live together. A community center allows residents to eat together, supported by a well-thought-out meal plan. The residential structure consists of six residential units, each with its own kitchen and bathroom, offering the advantage of privacy and individual freedom. But the project has opted for an original concept: it is not connected to a water supply system and instead works with composting toilets. The residents therefore have to overcome some fundamental challenges, such as collective decision-making and organizing house cleaning.

Self-sufficiency and sustainability

The “Arensnest” farm extends over an impressive 14 hectares and includes pastures, fields for potatoes and vegetables as well as an orchard with berry bushes. Ten sheep and five chickens also live here in harmony with nature. A particular advantage of the project is its own photovoltaic system, which covers 65% of the electricity requirements. In addition, the water supply is obtained from a well, while a constructed sewage treatment plant ensures wastewater disposal.

The trend towards such residential projects is not accidental. According to a report by Deutschlandfunk Kultur, more and more people are considering whether they can stay in their current living conditions as rents and energy costs continue to rise. Older people in particular are looking for alternatives to traditional retirement homes, while singles are often looking for community to escape loneliness. Afra Höck from the Network for Community Living in Hesse notes that housing plays an important role at every stage of life, and she supports those interested in setting up such projects.

The multi-generational house as a solution

Another promising approach is the concept of multi-generational houses. This form of living, in which different generations live under one roof, not only promotes coexistence, but also enables mutual support. Younger people benefit from the life experiences of older neighbors, while they get to know the perspectives of the younger ones and often receive support in everyday life. This type of living is particularly attractive for families and single parents, as they not only find social support, but also a place to relieve the burden and help shape their lives.

The variety of housing projects ranges from solidarity villages to house communities and shows that communal living is more than just a trend - it is an answer to the needs of modern society. In his book "Together! How Germany is trying out new living," journalist Lennart Herberhold addresses such innovative living concepts and addresses their potential as a life's work. Discussions and events surrounding these topics continue to be very popular, and initiatives such as those run by the Mietshäuser Syndikat and the Trias Foundation support thousands of projects throughout Germany.

Whether in the “Arensnest” or in a multi-generational house, people show that they question traditional living and want to take new paths. Community, sustainability and cohesion are at the forefront, and in a world full of challenges, this is a step towards a hopeful future.

For further information about the “Arensnest” housing project and alternative forms of housing, it is worth taking a look at the reporting from maz-online.de as well as on deutschlandfunkkultur.de and seniorenportal.de.