Unique in Hanover is the Grasdachsiedlung Laher Wiesen. It is more than just a housing area. The Grasdachsiedlung Laher Wiesen is an ecological pioneer project.
The Grasdachsiedlung Laher Wiesen is located in the Bothfeld district. It was built between 1983 and 1985. The neighboring Waldorf school helped. Architects Hermann Boockhoff and Helmut Rentrop planned it. It was a group construction project. The Grasdachsiedlung Laher Wiesen serves as a prototype. It showcases ecological and energy-conscious urban development. It offers a glimpse into the future.
The Grasdachsiedlung Laher Wiesen is home to around 350 residents. It comprises 80 houses. It is one of the largest ecological housing estates.
In the 1980s, two-story family row houses were built. Each has its own green space. Parents from the Waldorf School Hannover initiated the pioneer project. Their vision was affordable ecological housing. They wanted sustainable living near the school. This supported a unity of living, learning and working. A building community formed. It had 69 members. Together with the architects, they designed the plans.
The Grasdachsiedlung Laher Wiesen was a community project. Future residents helped build it. They could participate in the entire process. Residents could help decide on building materials. They even chose the wall colors.
The builders’ efforts kept costs down. They only spent around 950 euros per square meter. Construction costs were 550 euros per square meter.
From 1983 to 1984, a comprehensive housing area was created. It spans 2.6 hectares including the street. There are 69 two-story houses. There are 28 additional units in the back houses. They were ready for occupancy in 1985.
The houses in the Grasdachsiedlung Laher Wiesen are accessible via car-free paths. They are arranged in rows. They are 7 to 8 meters wide. Sizes range from 60 to 220 square meters. Each house has a narrow row house garden.
The exterior design is inspired by Scandinavian wooden huts with moss roofs. Wood facades cover the house walls. Inside are striking wooden beams. Brick walls separate the row houses. The houses in the Grasdachsiedlung Laher Wiesen have no cellars. This is due to their special drainage system. Water, sewage, electricity, telephone and heating lines run through channels. These channels run through the row house lines. They end in a shared small house. A row of houses shares these lines. An external combined heat and power plant supplies the houses. This ensures low energy consumption. Excess electricity is sold to energy companies.
The Grasdachsiedlung Laher Wiesen gets its name from its green roofs. The roofs were created over a heat-insulating felt mat. Two layers of soil cover the mat. The soil mixes earth and clay pellets. The soil came from the excavation of the building pits. The roofs were planted with rolled turf.
Sustainability was a priority. No chemically treated wood was used. Only environmentally friendly paint was used. The paint was natural.
The green roofs have an environmentally friendly effect. They reduce heating consumption. The extra insulation keeps heating costs low. The roofs last twice as long as conventional roofs. The grass protects the roof from weather.
The green roofs offer space for plant life. They ensure a pleasant climate and fresh air. The gardens include compost heaps. In 2019, a garden won a prize in the “GartenLust” competition. It was in the “Private Gardens” category.
The Grasdachsiedlung Laher Wiesen is a testament to ecological building. It shows what community and vision can achieve.