The issue of housing shortages has been a concern in Europe for some time. In densely populated areas where available space is limited, vertical redensification is an excellent option for much-needed additional housing. Adding storeys to buildings offers several advantages over new builds: it is cost-efficient, climate-friendly and can alleviate acute housing shortages particularly quickly.

Extension project in the north of Munich

One example of this is the “Quartier am Kieferngarten” in Munich, where an additional storey was added to three existing buildings and three new buildings were erected. The extensions were constructed using Ytong for the external walls and as solid roofs. Autoclaved aerated concrete was chosen due to its low weight and high strength. It meets the high requirements for thermal, sound and fire protection. The aim was to create new living space and to revitalize the district by redesigning the outdoor facilities. Vonovia, manager of the buildings, has densified the quarter both horizontally and vertically with the combined approach of constructing three new properties and adding storeys to existing buildings.
The newly created 58 apartments range from 1- to 5-room apartments and are partially barrier-free. Each apartment has a balcony, a roof terrace or a terrace on the first floor. The new and extended buildings fit in seamlessly with the existing buildings architecturally by interpreting the design language of the 1970s in a modern way. The conversion to district heating heralds the energy revolution in the district. New playgrounds and seating areas enliven the community.

Insights from the roadshow “Building without building land”

Frank Bittner, Advisor Technical Sales Support and Ademir Catovic, Head of Product Management at Xella Germany, presented Xella products and solutions for adding storeys at the db architecture magazine's roadshow entitled “Building without building land”. “When it comes to adding storeys, builders should consistently rely on Ytong for sustainable and solid construction. This solution offers architects and planners real added value,” explained Frank Bittner during an exchange with experts from these fields. Ademir Catovic added: “Our participation in the db roadshow at five locations was a successful exchange about opportunities and solutions for effectively combating the housing shortage.”