Unleashing the Power of Innovation
- Barbara Zettel, Jakob Schoof
Anything is possible, and nothing is obligatory - that's the underlying principle of Germany's new Building Type E (Gebäudetyp E) for simple or experimental structures. In time of limited budgets and housing shortages, the concept has swiftly gained momentum. The federal chambers of architects and engineers are calling for the adoption of this innovative building class, and even politicians are expressing support. According to a September 2023 government document, "construction must be simpler, faster, and more cost-effective. To achieve this, advocating for building in line with Building Type E principles is crucial. This involves allowing contractual partners to agree on flexibility for innovative planning, even if it means deviating from costly standards." Given such widespread support, we interviewed Munich-based co-initiator Florian Dilg and his colleague André Kempe based in Rotterdam to discuss the prospects for simple building.
