Architect Wolfgang Rossbauer has completed an innovative multi-family housing project in Siegenburg, Bavaria, that challenges conventional suburban development patterns while embracing traditional building methods and sustainable practices. The project, featuring five residential units housed within 330 square meters, demonstrates how reduced living space per person can be achieved without compromising quality of life.

In a recent interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, Rossbauer criticized the sterile suburban developments that have proliferated across Bavaria for decades, characterized by paved surfaces, chrome steel fixtures, and smooth stucco finishes. His firm's counter-proposal in the Hallertau region adapts traditional building typologies while employing resource-conscious construction methods and significantly reducing per-capita living space requirements.

The new building sits on family-owned land and forms part of a three-sided courtyard complex typical of 19th-century rural developments in the region. Replacing a severely deteriorated residential structure that was demolished in 2012, the architects completed the multi-family building last year to house ten residents across five units. With approximately 30 square meters of living space per person, the project achieves remarkably low space consumption, particularly notable in a rural context where larger footprints are typically expected.

Positioned with its gable end facing the street, the new structure restores the original courtyard configuration of the historic farm complex. A covered terrace called a "Gred" - a regional term for a narrow outdoor platform - extends along the courtyard side of the elevated ground floor, providing access to individual units while serving as a communal gathering space for residents.

The building's flexible ground floor contains two single-room apartments that can function as studios or be connected to upper-level residences. The first floor features maisonette-style apartments extending into the attic space, while a shared laundry facility adjacent to the stairwell complements the residential offerings. This adaptable design allows for various living arrangements while maintaining community connections.

Construction methods emphasize traditional materials and sustainable practices. The solid construction combines single-shell brick masonry with concrete elements, topped by a steeply pitched wooden rafter roof characteristic of regional architecture. Hemp-lime bricks provide insulation, while lime plaster covers both interior and exterior surfaces. The decision to forgo a basement minimized excavation requirements and enabled creative reuse of construction materials.

Excavated materials found new purposes throughout the project: brick and tile fragments became growing medium for a former chicken coop now serving as an oversized planter, while finer mineral components were mixed with up to three percent cement and applied to ground-floor brick vault ceilings. Organic waste materials were transported to a family field in a neighboring village, demonstrating comprehensive resource management.

Berlin artist Tima Nasseri contributed to the project by creating custom door signs and handles inspired by sketches from Johann Eckmayer, the building's former owner and a local blacksmith. His artistic interventions reflect the site's history while non-load-bearing mirrored corner supports aim to visually expand interior spaces. The firm reports total construction costs of approximately 1.7 million euros gross, including land allocation.

Future development plans envision adaptive reuse of the remaining courtyard buildings. The former agricultural structure will be converted into additional living and workspace, while a wooden shed opposite the main residence - no longer extant - will be replaced with a garage, workshop, and event space. The timeline for these additional renovations remains undetermined, but the completed residential building demonstrates how traditional building forms can accommodate contemporary sustainable living practices.