CHALLENGE
Since 1980 the "Housing Cooperation Young and Old (WGJA - Wohngemeinschaft Jung und Alt e.V.)" had the objective to initiate new forms of housing and community projects for young and old. It understands itself as a forum for exchange, contact and the transfer of know-how to the public.
Since 1985, the architect Iris Neitmann has committed herself to the implementation of the housing associations utopias as an association member.
The planning of a new project began with an "initiative group" within the association. It was looking for a site for a residential project. The interested club members formed a project group to implement a new residential project. The group acted self -responsible for planning, internal organization, funding and building and was supported by Iris Neitmann. The members of the project curiously expected the topping-out ceremony, and finally the inauguration, organized by the group with much joy.

For the implementation of the project the WGJA looked for a partner. In this case, the group was organized under the patronage of the housing association “Schanze eG”, which acts as developer. The group members invested the necessary capital; the remaining part of the cost is loaned from the public Housing Loan Association.
House 1 is a typical example of the whole Max B project. The site Max-Brauer-Allee 231-247 is about 5.440 square meters and was used by a car dealer and a locally well-known music club until 2004.
The inner city location with high traffic density required a noise protection wall adjacent to the street and the railway line. The land price required a high building density.

AIM OF THE PROJECT
The association "Max B / Works, Housing & Culture GbR" acquired the property in August 2004 as developer.
The community consists of nine residential groups with 225 residents of all ages. In five of the projects condominiums and a small proportion of surgeries / offices are set up. In four projects cooperative rent-flats are emerged, two of them with modes of integrating people with disabilities.
Each of the nine communities houses has an individual focus, for example:
•  Housing for young and old,
•  Living with a disability,
•  live and work.
Since the formation of the association all decisions are made in meetings with community representatives.

The new building has approximately 11,000 sqm gross floor area. Energy supply, development lines and underground parking were jointly planned. The heat for approx. 100 residential units is generated by an energy efficient combined block heat and power plant.
All floor plans, elevations and open spaces were planned in cooperation with the future users.
The variety of the possible equipment of the apartments was discussed and collectively agreed (eg. tiles, parquet flooring, fittings).

DESCRIPTION
Within the project Max B, the WGJA developed two house communities. While in the House 1 16 publicly subsidized rental apartments were constructed, House 6 consists of eight condominiums.
Both houses have the following common features:
•  Community housing of several generations,
•  Common garden,
•  At least one common room - with access to the garden.

Given the high proportion of older, no longer working residents as well as of children, there is a significant high rate of presence during the daytime, which enhanced relations similar to family structures. In this context the women have an important role.
Especially older members of the housing project, who recentily finished working life, invest more time and have more patience already for the planning process. As experience shows they have a long-term perspective and more equity. Thus they contribute to a quiet and thorough project development.

Actor / Lead Management / Cooperation
Wohngemeinschaft Jung und Alt e.V. (WGJA),
Beim Schlump 55,
20144 Hamburg
Tel./ Fax. +49 40 - 41 35 02 55
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.wgja-hamburg.de

TIMING
Planning/ Construction:
2001 - 2006