Flusshof - innovation hub and circular farm in the countryside
The Flusshof is a redeveloped farm in the countryside of Germany, which was ecologically renovated on the basis of circular thinking. Today it is a location for international volunteer camps and training courses and seminars on ecological building, circular economy and nature conservation. The farm exemplifies methods for the innovative renovation of old buildings and the revitalization of rural regions.
Local
Germany
{Empty}
Mainly rural
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Yes
EAFRD : European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
LEADER, 2017
No
Yes
2020-10-31
As a representative of an organisation
Name of the organisation(s): Spreeplan Projekt UG (haftungsbeschränkt) Type of organisation: For-profit company First name of representative: Dag Last name of representative: Schaffarczyk Gender: Male Nationality: Germany Function: founder and managing director Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Reichsstraße 108 Town: Berlin Postal code: 14052 Country: Germany Direct Tel:+49 30 33772450 E-mail:post@spreeplan.de Website:https://spreeplan.de/
The Flusshof is a former four-sided farm dating back to 1875 in the small village of Räbel (Germany), only 2 hours drive from Berlin. Located in the biosphere reserve, the farm has been revitalized over the last 20 years by the owners and many hardworking helpers. The two existing buildings, the main house and the barn, were renovated exclusively with natural, recyclable and renewable materials, such as wood, hemp, straw and clay. Today they contain vacation apartments, seminar rooms and studios. The buildings were preserved as much as possible and rebuilt according to the old design, with the addition of modern building services. The Flusshof is powered only by renewable energy sources, and a circular water management system ensures that resources are conserved. At the moment another building is being constructed, that secures the electricity supply via solar panels.The outdoor areas are designed as naturally as possible to create a diverse range of habitat for native animals, such as an orchard.
The Flusshof, which was already in disrepair in the 1990s, was revived in this way and today revitalizes the small village in the countryside. It is used as a seminar and innovation hub with numerous workshops and training courses on sustainable building, circular economy and permaculture. The buildings offer enough sleeping facilities for all visitors.
Community is a priority at events on the Flusshof. In international volunteer camps, not only work is done on the farm, but also a great contribution is made to international understanding. In this way, people from China, Mexico, Hawaii and many other countries come together to engage in physical activity, but also to enjoy the quiet, the wide views and the idyll, while escaping from big city life. The Flusshof is an exemplary project for how rural areas can be revitalized with existing substance without harming nature, the environment or the climate.
circular economy
conservation of nature and cultural heritage
ecological building
international understanding
revitalization of rural regions
The goal of the project was to create a place where nature and community could be experienced while simultaneously revitalizing the small village. The circular approach is reflected in all of the project's measures. During the renovation, most of the existing building structures were preserved. For the renovation only natural materials such as hemp, straw and clay were used, that can be easily composted and returned to the natural material cycle during deconstruction. The materials are free of hazardous substances and could be sourced from the local region. Additionally they create a healthy indoor climate in the buildings.The new building on the site was also constructed from wood and now carries the solar modules on its roof. The energy supply is also based on a circular approach. Hot water for the buildings is provided by the solar thermal modules on the roof of the barn, which are heated by the sun. If necessary, a burner powered by wood pellets steps in. Self-sufficient electricity generation is provided by the solar modules on the new building.
Water is also managed in a circular way on the Flusshof. Rainwater is collected and used, and graywater from hand washing is reused, e.g. for flushing toilets. A constructed wetland filters the wastewater from the house naturally through the roots of reed plants and allows the clean water to percolate into the soil. The nutrients in the water cause the reeds to grow, overgrowing the wetland from spring to fall.
When designing the outdoor areas, the owners were particularly interested in the protection of nature and species. This was especially significant with regard to the surrounding biosphere reserve. Thanks to its generous green spaces and orchards, the farm is now a place of biodiversity of flora and fauna.
This methodology of circular construction and renovation could also be applied to other projects. Important for this is the constant sharing of knowledge about sustainable and time-tested techniques.
The existing buildings of the Flusshof were renovated according to their historical model and so brought back to their former glory. The overall aesthetic of the former four-sided courtyard should be preserved. In this way, the courtyard blends in with the style of the houses in the village and the surrounding buildings. From the beginning, the owners attached great importance to the use of traditional forms and materials. For example, the round arches over the windows of the main house were preserved and this form was also used for newly created windows. And the shutters today shine in the same green as they did 100 years ago. The indoor spaces are furnished to a high standard with wooden floors and lime paints on clay plaster. In this way, a pleasant atmosphere is created. The furnishings are modern, but still in keeping with the history of the houses. This careful mixture of the traditional and the modern is what gives the buildings their authenticity.
There are numerous community rooms in the buildings that offer visitors opportunities to meet and socialize. In the main house there is a spacious communal kitchen and a large multifunctional room, while the barn contains a hall for celebrations and events. The new building is open to the outside and currently serves as a covered common area in the garden.
Quality of experience is also created at the Flusshof by the generous outdoor areas. The garden offers many green spaces for relaxation, only a few areas are sealed. However, there is also sufficient space for joint activities such as parties, campfires, games or archery. This offer is extended by the surrounding nature. Far away from the hustle of the big city, the river (Elbe), the dike, the fields and the lakes offer countless opportunities such as walks, bike rides, boat trips or excursions to go swimming. The numerous workshop and camp participants were always enthusiastic and left the Flusshof mostly with a tearful eye.
The Flusshof is accessible by train, which stops in the nearest major city. From there, a shuttle is provided to take workshop participants and visitors to the farm.
International volunteer camps with people from all over the world are held regularly at the Flusshof. The camps are organized together with SCI (Service Civil International). This is a non-profit, international organization that promotes peace, non-violent conflict resolution, social justice, sustainable development and international cooperation through volunteering. Through collaboration, the camps can be offered free of charge to all the participants. In this way, people with lower incomes are enabled to travel, visit other countries and meet people from all over the world. The participants can get to know each other during their daily work or in many joint activities. They learn about sustainable building practices, circular thinking and the common good economy from the owners or invited speakers. The Flusshof provides a stunning location for these camps with its community spaces and outdoor areas.
Volunteer work camps take place all over the world. Too rarely, owners of dilapidated buildings or large open spaces know about these opportunities for help from volunteers. The project shows that even with a small budget, projects can be realized. For example, volunteering made it possible to repair the numerous damages caused by a storm on the Flusshof. In this way, run-down places or buildings can be revitalized, even without spending a lot of money on professional craftsmen. Much of the work can be done by amateurs if they are skilfully instructed. And quite by the way, international friendships are made and different cultures are brought together.
The revitalization of the old farm benefits not only visitors and workshop participants, but also the surrounding population. During the construction work, mainly local craft enterprises were engaged in order to contribute to the local economy. Due to the rural exodus and declining population density, these small businesses in the countryside usually have few orders and cannot compete with the large companies and their cheap labor. Local organic farmers provided support in the design and revitalization of the orchards. In addition, the renovation and new construction mainly used regional building materials such as clay, straw and wood, which is also beneficial for the local economy. Operating the farm creates local jobs that allow employees to pursue work without a long commute. Work that is done by the employees is, for example, the maintenance of the outdoor areas, the repair of damage to the houses or the care of visitors including laundry and cleaning after their stay.
The international volunteers made a significant contribution to the realization of the project through their support. They benefit from the international exchange and knowledge sharing on sustainable construction. It also gives them the opportunity to experience life in the countryside and in a sustainable environment. The planners and craftsmen involved in the renovation are now given the opportunity to promote themselves at the Flusshof and to offer events on various sustainability topics.
Last but not least, the inhabitants of the small village benefit. In the past, the village's population continued to shrink and farms and houses fell into disrepair. The revitalization of the Flusshof has also awakened the village from its slumber. Houses were rebuilt according to historical examples, as in the Flusshof, and the village is increasingly becoming an attractive vacation and residential location for people who are fed up with the hectic city life.
From the very beginning, the support of the project by various stakeholders at different levels was of great importance. In order to involve all relevant stakeholders at local and regional level, various large-scale coordination meetings took place, which were organized and moderated by the owners. Along with the planners involved, the following came together at one table: the building authority, the nature conservation authority, the state office for flood protection and water management, the underground construction office, the office for agriculture and land reclamation, and the town of Werben. It was important to the owners that the various authorities work together and coordinate with each other to make the Flusshof a project for the entire region. All local and regional stakeholders were extremely interested in strengthening and revitalizing the region and were therefore very cooperative. For example, the fruit meadow was financed by the city of Werben as a compensation area for other tree cutting by the city.
In addition, local craftsmen and planners were engaged for the implementation, and were therefore significantly involved in the planning and realization of the project.
At the European level, the project received funding under the LEADER program, which strengthens development in rural areas. A special focus here was the creation of a destination for sustainable tourism and thereby the strengthening of the public infrastructure. Only thanks to the subsidies of this program, construction and landscape measures could be financed.
Last but not least, the cooperation with the non-profit, international organization SCI (Service Civil International) contributed to the implementation of the project. The volunteer camps organized by the owners and SCI were and still are attractive to people from all over the world. The volunteers mainly took on tasks that did not require manual training, such as landscape work, and were proud to be part of this unique project.
The goal was to turn the Flusshof into a holistic sustainable project following the clear methodology of circularity. The owners were aware that this required an interdisciplinary team to ensure maximum synergy between the planning aspects. Therefore, architects, pollutant experts, building biologists, engineers and landscape architects came together to collaboratively develop a concept. All those involved had a common goal: to develop the Flusshof into an innovative and ecological place of communion, without losing sight of the historical heritage of the farm or the protection of nature and the climate. The architects placed their focus on the resource-saving renovation of the buildings and designed a room concept that puts the community at the center. The pollutant experts looked specifically at the requirements of the renovation in terms of technical construction. The building biologists were overall responsible for an implementation with natural materials to create a healthy indoor climate. The engineers, in constant coordination with the other disciplines, developed an energy-saving building services system based on the use of renewable energies. Special engineers were also involved in the planning and dimensioning of the water cycle and the constructed wetland. Structural analysis and building physics were also optimized through interdisciplinary work. Together with conservationists, the landscape architects designed a concept for the outdoor facilities that follows the principles of nature conservation and biodiversity, and involves measures such as fruit meadows and vegetable beds. The constant cooperation and coordination of the disciplines made it possible to find optimal solutions, which were always well matched to each other.
The implementation of the project also required the cooperation of various financiers, lawyers and insurance institutions. Through their advice, a public welfare-oriented financing via public funding and crowdfunding was possible.
The reconnection with nature played a decisive role in the realization of the project. The cycles of nature were the model for all measures. The materials used in the renovation are compostable and can in this way be returned to the natural material cycle. Visitors and workshop participants also regularly enthuse about the pleasant and healthy indoor climate that has been created in the buildings.
The use of rainwater and graywater in combination with the constructed wetland replicates the natural water cycle. In this way, the demand for drinking water has been reduced by more than 80% compared to conventional buildings. The natural resources of sun and wood are used for energy and electricity supply. The need for fossil fuels could be reduced in this way also enormously by about 90%. The supply is almost completely self-sufficient.
In addition, numerous nature conservation and landscape protection measures have been implemented in the outdoor areas, which have already had an impact. In construction projects, it often happens that local plants and animals are pushed back or even destroyed. This did not happen here. On the contrary, retreat and hibernation sites for animals were preserved or restored, resulting in stable or even increased populations of fire-bellied toads and bats, for example. Formerly monoculturally used agricultural areas on the property were converted into orchard meadows. These also served as a compensation measure for the district, which had to have trees felled elsewhere. Today, the orchard is home to numerous fruit varieties, some of them historic, which are rarely found anymore. Accordingly, traditional farming methods were also revived. Today, the trees not only contribute to biodiversity, but also provide abundant fruit for the farm. From this, gallons of juice and other products have already been produced for the farm and its visitors.
Many supposedly "sustainable" buildings focus exclusively on energy efficiency during operation. Based on this mindset, facades are wrapped in thick layers of plastic insulation. The energy and resources required to produce these materials are usually ignored. At the same time, buildings today are equipped with extensive, high-maintenance building services, which also have a high material consumption. This project stands out from conventional building methods by applying a holistic sustainable concept, which is based on the use of natural, pollutant-free and circular materials and the reduced use of building services. All existing buildings and their construction materials were reused, modified or supplemented as much as possible. In addition, traditional building techniques that have since fallen into disuse were revived, such as using clay for basement waterproofing or reed mats for plaster. The project exemplifies how traditional knowledge can be transferred to modern times.
In addition, the farm is equipped with innovative building services that supply the farm almost completely self-sufficiently with electricity and energy. Only regenerative energy sources are used for this. The wastewater treatment by the constructed wetland is also revolutionary and is particularly suitable for properties that are not connected to the public sewage network. In addition, conventional wastewater treatment is usually very energy-intensive and associated with the use of environmentally harmful chemicals. This is not the case here.
Unlike many projects by private developers, the Flusshof is not run for profit, but for the common good. International exchange, the preservation of cultural heritage and a reconnection with nature are much more in focus here, entirely out of the conviction that it is creating something good for present and future generations.
The central methodology in the conceptual design of the Flusshof was the idea of recycling. Following the example of nature, existing natural resources were to be used without producing waste or even environmentally harmful products. Based on this, as much of the existing structure as possible was preserved and carefully supplemented. Since the methods of nature were used, nature including its flora and fauna should of course be preserved and strengthened. As a result, it is now possible to live, work and dwell WITH and FROM nature at the Flusshof.
The central methodology in the realization and operation of the Flusshof was the idea of community. Together with volunteers from all over the world, the Flusshof was created and has been constantly developed until today. It should become a place of community and knowledge transfer. Learning from each other and working together not only strengthens the cohesion between the cultures, but also produces wonderful ideas, concepts and actually realized projects. Through the regularly held volunteer camps, seminars and workshops, the knowledge about nature conservation, sustainable building and public welfare-oriented, circular economy should be constantly passed on. The goal is to carry a piece of the Flusshof out into the whole world, so that more places like this can be created in the future.
All over Germany and Europe, farms and buildings in the countryside are empty and falling into disrepair. Not only is their historical heritage being lost, but also the resources that were once built upon. The Flusshof can serve as a model for the revitalization of villages and rural areas. More and more people are looking for a retreat in the countryside with peace and views as a change from hectic city life. However, they often have neither the sufficient starting capital nor the necessary knowledge to realize such a project. The Flusshof shows how projects of this kind can be implemented with alternative financing options such as crowdfunding and public funding, but above all through energetic support through volunteer work. Collaborative realization can encourage people to help and support each other instead of walking around with blinders on. In this way, knowledge and skills about traditional building techniques, nature conservation and landscape management can be passed on.
Furthermore, the Flusshof is a good example of how planning already paves the way for versatile later uses. Often, farms and buildings of this kind are only used as single-family homes. However, the Flusshof is an example of how it is worthwhile to invite guests, to achieve something together, and to get to know people and cultures.
Regardless of the location of buildings, the approaches for renovating the Flusshof's buildings can be applied to many projects. This includes preventing demolition and using existing resources as well as using natural materials and old building techniques. In addition, the handling of the surrounding nature as well as the idea of circulation have exemplary character. Constructed wetlands, for example, can be installed anywhere there is sufficient space. This is particularly suitable for buildings that are not connected to the public sewage network.
First and foremost, the project addresses the major challenge of our time, the climate crisis. The measures described in the renovation and landscape design contribute significantly to climate and nature protection. The challenge of global energy supply is also addressed, through the almost complete self-sufficiency of the farm and the use of local, renewable energy sources. Finite resources such as sand (no use of concrete), gas and oil are conserved in this way. Another global challenge is the decreasing biodiversity, which is counteracted at the Flusshof by protecting and supporting flora and fauna. By creating a permaculture with self-cultivation of fruits and vegetables, sustainable consumption is promoted and dependence on industrial agriculture is reduced.
Another global challenge is the rural exodus and the overpopulation of cities. The Flusshof proves in opposition to this that rural regions can be revitalized. The fact that the rural population also benefits from this can be seen, for example, in the strengthening of the local economy. Through the Flusshof, local jobs are created and sustainable tourism is enabled. Rural regions become attractive again through projects like these and attract stressed people from the big cities, who find peace and relaxation in the countryside. In this way, the global challenge of people's mental health is also addressed. Matching to this, contemporary working and living models are also being tested by some people at the Flusshof, such as a hybrid solution that combines the advantages of living in the city and the countryside.
Last but not least, the Flusshof is an excellent example of understanding and knowledge transfer between people across borders. Through international exchange, many social challenges can be overcome. International understanding helps people to be more open to other cultures and ways of thinking and to engage in peace both nationally and internationally.
