Multiple use of space

The possibility of using one and the same space flexibly or by several people together or in different ways over time is not a new idea, but is accepted and widespread in everyday life. And it is becoming increasingly popular. This is because flexible uses and utilisation options reduce space consumption and enable more intensive use of existing buildings.

Share and use!

The multiple use of space can relate to different types of buildings and rooms. The motivation for flexible utilisation stems from different economic, ecological and socio-cultural aspects, which may well overlap.

• In the case of communal infrastructure and service areas, kitchens or sanitary facilities are only installed once for reasons of efficiency. Care and maintenance can be shared among the users.
• Shared use of certain commercial areas has also become established for reasons of efficiency. In shopping centres, for example, in addition to the rented shops, there is usually a mall as a communal area that provides catering and supply areas.
• In industrial estates, not only are canteens, day-care centres or the existing infrastructure shared, there are often also overarching concepts for logistics and energy supply.
• In the private sphere, selected areas have long been shared, for example kitchens, gardens and common rooms in shared flats, student residences or multi-generational houses.
• Shared use of space promotes socio-cultural contacts; longer usage times and greater diversity enliven the neighbourhood and enable greater interaction with the social environment.

Economical

• Cost savings for users through higher utilisation of space and sharing of infrastructure
• Intensification of the utilisation of buildings and spaces and associated profits for providers
• New location qualities through revitalisation and mixing of the neighbourhood and by extending the duration of use
• Creation of new markets
• Simplification of market entry for new players

Socio-cultural

• Stronger networking of society and promotion of cooperation
• Increasing identification of users with the built environment and the immediate social environment through greater participation
• Utilisation opportunities for financially weak players
• Stability through mixing

„Reallabor Space Sharing“ - a research project

How do you deal with a city's vacant building stock? This was the question posed by the research project "Reallabor Space Sharing" in the heart of Stuttgart's city centre. Project manager Prof. Matthias Rudolph from the architecture department of the Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design: "The aim was to achieve a more efficient use of inner-city spaces through multiple utilisation".

The research results, realised circular economy aspects and recommendations for action can be found in the handbook „Space Sharing – one Space fits all“

The project was funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts as part of the state programme "Strengthening the contribution of science to sustainable development". The team also won the first DGNB Sustainability Challenge with the "Spacesharing real-world laboratory".

It's not just research - more and more planners and developers, building owners' associations and property owners as well as more and more tenants and leaseholders are recognising the benefits: Flexible uses and utilisation options reduce land consumption and enable more intensive use of existing buildings.