The Luhrmannhof

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Description

Our work on designing a concept for a regenerative, self-organised student housing project on the Luhrmannhof (The Hof) in Osnabrück, Germany has grown from strength to strength since 2023.

The Hof is an old farm with heritage classified buildings on one beautifully green hectare on the outskirts of the city. Surrounded by birch woodland, a stream, a small lake, many cycle ways and walking tracks it had been an idyllic dream for the generations of students who had lived there since it was opened for student housing by Studentenwerk in the late 1980s. Fast forward to October 2021, this dream almost came crashing to a halt as the students were informed that it was to be sold and that they would have to leave as soon as possible.

CM Space supported the design and facilitation visioning workshops with the student community to understand what the potential of the place was and what teams, roles, responsibilities, processes and systems would be needed to make the vision a reality. CM Space also played a key role in attracting and managing relationships with key project partners.

As a result of this project:

The homes of 47 students, 3 cats and 11 chickens were saved, ensuring affordable accommodation in an increasingly speculative property market.
A co-operative organisation was formed, The Luhrmannhof e.V.
The Hof stepped into its potential as a regenerative community space for arts, culture and ecological living, with more public facing events and learning opportunities arising throughout the project.
Processes and systems were designed for self-organised living to support both individual autonomy and expression, as well as collective wellbeing and continuity of the community.
By curating a clear investment concept and financial plan, CM Space helped to ensure that the €400,000 capital that was needed to secure loans for building restoration and renovation was raised within the timeframe required.
The project was realised by creating strong partnerships from the outset with Stiftung Trias (Finance), Planungsbüro Graw (Architecture & Design), Funk Tenfelde (Legal).
Living spaces have been opened up to people who are not studying, but learning by other means e.g. doing apprenticeships.
Rent is now organised on a solidarity basis meaning each person pays what they can afford.
Building upgrades are ongoing to install a new heating system which will make living spaces warmer and more energy efficient.
A re-design to the Scheune / Barn as the focal point on the Hof for meetings, gatherings and celebrations means it will be more accessible to people living on-site and visitors.
The Hof is eagerly involved with the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, the Schürhof, meaning they are supplied with local fresh seasonal food produce.
Grains, cereals, oils, and other food items are bought in bulk through wholesale suppliers where possible to minimise the amount of plastic packaging used on the Hof.

There are few places in society today that act as multi-disciplinary meeting points where different parts of the systems we are embedded in come together to collaborate, share ideas, create and learn from each other. For this reason, the Hof is a nodal intervention point within the city of Osnabrück, particularly for young people as an activator of political, social and ecological education and action. As well as this, the alumni of people who have lived there spans all over Germany and further afield, people who have experienced life on the Hof take what they have learned by living there and apply it wherever they go.

We are excited to see the ongoing development of this place and how its reach and impact continues to grow and evolve the city of Osnabrück.

If this has piqued your interest regarding regenerative design and development, community housing projects or new economic models, please contact hello@changemakingspace.com

Client:

Luhrmannhof e.V.

Project Timeline:

2021 - 2023

Project Type:

Regenerative Development

Website:

luhrmannhof.org