Zollikofen, Switzerland, is welcoming a pioneering residential project designed to foster community and combat isolation among older adults. Named 'Das andere Wohnen' (The Other Way of Living), this initiative brings together 23 residents, aged 49 to over 80, into a shared yet independent living environment. The move-in process began recently, with residents like 70-year-old psychiatrist Catherine Walther expressing excitement for their new homes.
Key Takeaways
- 'Das andere Wohnen' in Zollikofen offers communal living for 23 residents aged 49-80+.
- The project emphasizes self-governance, environmental sustainability, and social interaction.
- Decision-making follows a sociocratic model, ensuring all voices contribute to a 'consent' rather than 'consensus'.
- The initiative aims to prevent loneliness in old age by encouraging daily encounters.
- Built to Minergie-A standards, the complex features extensive use of wood and includes communal spaces.
A Vision for Connected Living
The project, located on Lindenweg, features two interconnected buildings constructed to Minergie-A standards. It offers 17 apartments designed for individual living while promoting a strong sense of community. The design prioritizes sustainability, being largely car-free and utilizing environmentally friendly materials like wood and clay panels.
Residents are not just tenants; they are members of a housing cooperative. This structure ensures a self-managed, gemeinnützige (public benefit) approach to living. The cooperative model allows for shared decision-making, a core principle of 'Das andere Wohnen'.
Project Snapshot
- Location: Lindenweg, Zollikofen
- Residents: 23 individuals, aged 49 to over 80
- Housing Units: 17 apartments across two interconnected buildings
- Standard: Minergie-A, focusing on energy efficiency
- Pets: Includes two dogs and several cats
Sociocracy in Action: A New Way to Decide
A key aspect of 'Das andere Wohnen' is its commitment to sociocracy, a governance method where decisions are made through consent. This differs from traditional consensus, where everyone must fully agree. Instead, the focus is on addressing serious objections until a solution is found that everyone can live with.
"The question is, what can I live with, not what do I want, because that immediately creates a strong narrowing of possibilities," explains Janette Picozzi, one of the project's early participants.
This approach encourages all residents to voice their opinions, ensuring diverse perspectives contribute to communal decisions. It fosters an environment where individual needs are respected within the framework of collective well-being.
Combating Loneliness Through Shared Spaces
One of the primary motivations behind this alternative housing model is to combat loneliness in old age. The design of the buildings actively promotes interaction. For instance, access to apartments is via shared arcades, which serve as natural meeting points.
"Everyone has their own apartment, but you cannot completely withdraw; encounters are meant to happen," states Janette Picozzi. This philosophy underpins the entire project, aiming to create a vibrant social fabric.
Background: The Cooperative Model
The housing cooperative, founded in December 2020, secured the land from the municipality through a building lease. This arrangement allows the cooperative to construct and operate the housing on public land, often at a reduced cost. Such models are common in Switzerland for promoting affordable and community-oriented housing solutions. Funding also came from specific social funds, reducing the reliance on conventional bank loans.
From Vision to Reality: A Five-Year Journey
The realization of 'Das andere Wohnen' has been a significant undertaking. Janette Picozzi and her husband Claudio were involved from the beginning. They describe the journey as requiring immense dedication, navigating challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war, which caused delays.
"The motivation was enormously high, but we also had to get through crises," Janette Picozzi reflects. Now, as they prepare to move in, the couple expresses relief and excitement, looking forward to less household maintenance and more time for life.
Individual Touches in a Collective Home
Residents had the opportunity to personalize their apartments, choosing elements like kitchen colors. White proved most popular, followed by blue. Stefan Leuenberger, an interior architect and residential psychologist involved in the project, noted that bolder choices like green or gold-yellow required more courage.
Leuenberger also highlighted the architectural principle guiding the design: "The transitions between anonymous, shared, private, and intimate spaces should be visible and tangible." This careful planning ensures a balance between personal privacy and community engagement.
Beyond the Apartment Walls
The communal aspects extend beyond the residential units. The complex includes a dedicated common room, a workshop, and guest rooms for visitors. Surrounding the two buildings, plans are underway for a biodiverse garden, promising green spaces for residents to enjoy and potentially cultivate.
Verena Neuenschwander, 66, who moved in at the end of November, expresses her happiness. "The living feeling makes me happy," she says, adding that she sleeps very well. "You can feel the concept and design the apartment very well." She acknowledged that the true test for the cooperative's dynamics would come with time, but so far, everything feels organic.
Financial Structure
- Cooperative Share: Approximately 120,000 Swiss Francs for a 2.5-room apartment.
- Monthly Rent: Between 1,550 and 1,800 Swiss Francs (excluding utilities).
- Funding Sources: Loans from Fonds de Roulement and Solidaritätsfonds helped reduce bank credit needs.
A New Chapter for Residents
For Catherine Walther, the move from Solothurn to Zollikofen brings her closer to family in the Bern region. Despite being retired, she continues to work part-time as a psychiatrist. "The demand is so great," she notes, drawing parallels to the shortage of general practitioners.
Sibylle Aréstegui, whose move is scheduled for January 23rd, has already started bringing plants into her new apartment. "I am very excited and optimistic," she shares, while acknowledging the extensive work and numerous meetings required to bring such a project to fruition. "It takes great commitment, perseverance, and many good and competent people to realize such a project."
The first night in a new home marks a significant milestone for these residents. They embark on a new chapter, embracing a lifestyle that promises companionship, shared responsibility, and a vibrant community in their golden years.