From decay to living space: This is how old train stations thrive again!

From decay to living space: This is how old train stations thrive again!

A lot is happening in the world of sustainable living! Let's take a look at inspiring projects in Germany that show how creativity and community spirit can be used to create not only living space, but also lively living spaces. Particular attention is paid to the Sieben Linden eco-village and the impressive renovations of old buildings in the region.

In 2019, Steffi Remus from Cologne acquired a 100-year-old, abandoned train station and, with a lot of her own effort, transformed it into a lively country house that bears the beautiful name Remushof. This transformation is part of the “Room Tour” series, which shows how a new living space is created from a lost place. In 2014, Marcel and Leonard Engel also moved into a 680 square meter manor house that was in a condition that gave little hint of its former glory. After over a decade of French-style renovations, they have created not only a home but also vacation rentals that tell a loving story. This is reported by MDR.

Community and sustainability in the ecovillage

Jürgen, who has lived in the Sieben Linden eco-village since 2004, shows how important sustainability and community are in everyday life. He built his wooden house himself using regional materials and lives by ecological ideas. This eco-village is considered a model project for sustainable living and offers both an inspiring way of life and a platform for community engagement.

The new approach in Sieben Linden aims at an independent “greenfield” village project that is characterized by conscious land use. Here, living space per person is limited to a modest 16 m² of floor space. By building apartment buildings, the space should be used more efficiently. The current discussion about the shortage of living space in German cities is complemented here by the focus on a better distribution of living space. Checking the living conditions also ensures that changes in family circumstances can be responded to flexibly - a measure that strengthens the sense of community. Kobin and Co., the three employees of the “Living Space Carousel”, take care of the regular review of the living situations and wishes of the residents. These are just some of the innovative approaches that the village is pursuing with siebenlinden.org.

Ecological approaches and communal lifestyles

Ecovillages like Sieben Linden are not just places to live, they are real experimental spaces for sustainable living. Community gardens not only promote self-sufficiency, but also knowledge about sustainable agriculture. The concept is simple: collaborative decision-making strengthens cohesion and responsibility within the community. The principles of these villages could even be applied to urban developments to support social and environmental sustainability. The residents not only learn from each other, but also actively shape their surroundings. Our report on the power of community comes from lebenundfreiheit.de.

Overall, it shows that sustainable living is not just a trend, but a real lifestyle that is slowly taking root in many places. The initiatives in Cologne and the surrounding area are an example of how a future worth living can be created through innovation and a sense of community. The stories of Steffi Remus, Marcel and Leonard Engel as well as the residents of the eco-village are inspiration for everyone who is looking for a more conscious lifestyle.