Munich, April 13, 2026 – The cooperative building project known as “Das große kleine Haus” (“The Big Little House”) in Munich’s Neuhausen district is set to be completed this year, marking a significant milestone as a pilot project for the innovative “Building Type E.” This initiative aims to streamline construction, reduce costs, and provide much-needed affordable housing in the Bavarian capital.
Building Type E: A New Era for Construction
Developed by the Bavarian Chamber of Architects, “Building Type E” is being implemented in 19 pilot projects across Bavaria. Its core principle involves relaxing numerous building regulations, which typically complicate and inflate construction costs. This approach has already resulted in more than 11 percent savings in construction costs for “Das große kleine Haus,” alongside a faster building process.
Thomas Gloßner from the Bavarian Ministry of Construction emphasized the importance of such successful pilot projects in opening up new avenues for construction, especially in addressing the severe housing shortage in cities like Munich, where exorbitant rents are a pressing issue.
A Sustainable and Affordable Vision
The 30-meter-high building will feature 29 residential units, with rents ranging between 12.20 and 13.50 euros per square meter. A portion of these units will be subsidized under the Munich Model, while others will offer price-capped rents through the Conceptual Rental Housing (KMB) program. Approximately 40 percent of the building’s space is designated for commercial use, with the remaining 60 percent for residential purposes. All units and commercial spaces have already been allocated.
One of the project’s distinguishing features is its commitment to sustainability through the extensive use of recycled building materials. For instance, 100 door frames and doors from a renovated office complex in Neuperlach have been repurposed. Rainer Hofmann, co-founder of the cooperative and co-architect, noted that the building’s facade incorporates steel from a large steel hall previously located on the Kreativquartier site. Additionally, a striking pink staircase, serving as both an access route and a communal space, is 80 percent made from recycled steel.
Community and Innovation at Its Core
The cooperative, founded in 2018 by architects Rainer Hofmann and Ritz Ritzer of Bogevischs Büro, along with Verena Schmidt from Teleinternetcafe, now boasts over 60 members. In 2022, the cooperative secured the plot within the Kreativquartier, a 20-hectare urban development project envisioned by the city for over two decades. This area aims to integrate living, working, and cultural/creative uses, with plans for 800 apartments and 900 workplaces.
The ground floor of “Das große kleine Haus” will host a café operated by the CBA association, which creates jobs for people with and without disabilities. The eighth floor will offer co-working spaces and a rooftop terrace, providing panoramic views of the city, including the Frauenkirche.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite the project’s success, Hofmann acknowledged that collaboration with the Ministry and the City of Munich, responsible for building permits, was “not always easy.” However, he praised officials for their assistance in finding solutions to building law challenges.
The “Building Type E” concept, while promising, still presents legal uncertainties, particularly for private developers. Questions surrounding liability, especially concerning deviations from standard regulations like sound insulation, remain a concern. Melanie Hammer of BHB Unternehmensgruppe, one of the few private investors to venture into “Building Type E,” faced such challenges with her “Mooritz” project, which recently received building approval for 99 apartments.
The Bavarian Ministry of Construction is advocating for the federal government to legally enshrine the standards of “Building Type E” to provide greater clarity and encourage wider adoption.
“Das große kleine Haus” stands as a testament to innovative and sustainable urban development, offering a potential blueprint for addressing housing shortages and fostering vibrant communities in Munich and beyond.
Other “Building Type E” Projects in Munich
- Conversion and expansion of a youth dormitory in Schwabing (Client: Caritas)
- Development of a new district on a former factory site in Westend (Münchner Wohnen)
- Extension of the August Everding Theatre Academy at Prinzregentenplatz (State of Bavaria)
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung
