Rural housing initiatives may enhance educational experiences by providing modern living conditions for students and teachers.
In the heart of Brandenburg, a new community is taking shape as vielleben builds a KoDorf, or village for living and working, on an old industrial site in Wiesenburg. This innovative project aims to provide a home for elderly care recipients, as well as younger couples, singles, or families.
The village of Billberge, located on the Elbe river, is another exciting aspect of this project. With a manor house, stables, horse pastures, and barns, Billberge offers a charming rural setting. Nearby, the Komturei in Werben, a historic building founded by the Johanniter Order in the 12th century, is also being revitalised as part of the project.
Architect Jurek Brüggen and his colleague Aimée Michelfelder are at the helm of this transformation, bringing these historic buildings back to life in a sustainable manner. They are experimenting with ecological materials, breathing new life into these structures while preserving their historical integrity.
The search for future residents is already underway, with the architects expecting some drop-outs during the process. Working individuals will find offices, studios, and workshops in close proximity, while vacationers can enjoy holiday apartments. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2033, with the help of federal, state, and city funding.
Future residents of Billberge will not acquire the plots and houses but will become members of the cooperative with a one-time payment and pay a monthly usage fee. Marlene Bruhl, a businesswoman from Berlin, has bought the village and is working with the cooperative vielleben to implement her vision.
The plans for Billberge include building 17 new and modern apartments in existing buildings, up to 22 new smaller and larger residential buildings, and spaces and halls for office workplaces and craft businesses. Marlene Bruhl's vision is to create a community living space in Billberge, with families, elderly people, and shared workspaces and community areas.
However, the lack of a fiber optic connection in Billberge is hindering rural development. Despite this challenge, the architects see great potential in a courtyard community and are convinced that rural regions can attract more people once a critical threshold is crossed. The goal is to form a pioneer group of about ten committed interested parties to start the project.
The holiday apartments in the former steward's house of the Komturei are almost ready, with rentals starting this summer. The assisted living facility is next on the list, once the holiday apartments are completed. The cold rent for the assisted living facility is set at six euros per square meter.
As the project progresses, it's hoped that Billberge will become a model for sustainable, community-focused living in rural areas. For those interested in becoming a part of this pioneering community, the search for future residents is ongoing.
[1] KZ Mittelbau-Dora anniversary: [Link] [2] Queer community spaces and activism in Saxony-Anhalt: [Link] [3] Historical conferences and calls for papers regarding legal history: [Link] [4] Protests against far-right activities in Saxony-Anhalt: [Link] [5] Historical context of medieval Germany including Saxony: [Link]
- The project in Billberge, part of the vielleben community, offers a unique rural lifestyle with fashion-and-beauty options in the form of modern apartments, as well as food-and-drink experiences through holiday apartments in the former steward's house of the Komturei.
- Future residents of Billberge can expect a home that fosters self-development and education in collaboration with Marlene Bruhl and the cooperative vielleben, with community areas, workspaces, and craft businesses also available.
- Travel enthusiasts may find Billberge to be an attractive destination for rural escapes, as the project progresses towards a sustainable, community-focused living model that attracts a pioneer group and, ultimately, becomes a model for similar endeavors across rural areas.
