The B10 House

Question: You have co-developed a modular construction system with businessman Klaus Fischer – why?

Sobek: We want to build sustainable homes – but with current funding, this cannot be achieved on a large scale at building sites. So we thought about how to prefabricate large parts or even entire buildings for delivery. And then there is always the complaint that low-income groups can no longer afford to live in the city. So we want to revolutionise processes in the building industry.

Question: You have higher ambitions of sustainability: according to your Triple Zero principle buildings, should not consume more energy than they generate from sustainable sources in their annual balance; they should not leave a carbon footprint and must be completely recyclable after conversion or demolition. Can you reconcile these aims with affordable homes?

Sobek: Yes, it is possible – and absolutely essential. Building has to be resource- and environmentally friendly. Around 60 per cent of world resource consumption is accounted for by the building industry. And this is a huge problem in view of the population explosion. We have to build without destroying our planet.

Question: Does developing standardised modules work for an architect?

Sobek: Good architecture needs to be very variable, because buildings have to t into the relevant context. However, we were also looking for a way to add and densify, in that modules can be set on roofs, close building gaps and annexed to houses. So the module design has to be exible. Parts needn’t be identical in terms of geometry, but you do have to be able to t them together.

Question: You erect buildings in a lightweight construction?

Sobek: Lightweight construction is the order of the day because it is about saving resources and building to high standards.

“We have to build in a resource-
and eco-friendly way.”

Prof. Dr. Dr. E.h. Dr. h.c. Werner Sobek
Architect and civil engineer, Stuttgart