01
Reject demographic compartmentalization
We cannot create the homes of the future based on past needs. The buildings we design should address the demographic reality and meet the needs of many new family constellations and living arrangements. The nuclear family is no longer the norm, and our housing should reflect that.
02
Abandon dream Excel spreadsheets / live with less
A large home can be lovely, but we build too much in Denmark. In fact, we are the world leaders in terms of square meter consumption per person. However, less can certainly be enough. It is necessary for us to learn to better utilize our homes. We need to develop a more qualitative relationship with our living spaces and focus a bit less on quantity.
03
Live together, live compactly
Sharing is essential for housing that respects the planetary limits. We should share more, not only in terms of equipment, furnishings, and facilities, but also in terms of exterior walls and surfaces. A dwelling that is part of a larger structure, such as an apartment building, has a significantly smaller surface area, resulting in reduced heat loss and energy consumption.
04
We cannot create the homes of the future based on past needs. The buildings we design should address the demographic reality and meet the needs of many new family constellations and living arrangements. The nuclear family is no longer the norm, and our housing should reflect that.
Create flexible homes with room to grow
05
Only a farmhouse should cost a farmhouse
Perhaps it is not everyone's dream to become heavily indebted just to find a place to live. While it is beneficial for the planet, a cheaper home is not a major problem. With a smaller, more affordable, and centrally located home, we have shorter commutes, less debt, and the possibility of working part-time. This way, there is room again for the things that truly matter in life.
06
Space exists on a spectrum
Between indoors and outdoors, there is a vast spectrum of spatial typologies that we often overlook because they do not score points in sales presentations, life cycle assessments (LCA), or business cases. We should focus much more on the qualitative requirements of a given function and provide solutions with the least possible embedded CO2.
07
Build systematically with modular systems
Today, we can resell a kitchen, but why can't we resell an interior wall or a floor slab? Customization and uniqueness are appealing to many, but if we are to build within standardized solutions, we should focus more on uniform approaches that follow the same goals and standards. In this way, building components and furnishings can be redistributed from project to project without losing their functional value.
08
Build with renewable and recycled materials
Years of internationalization of our architectural aesthetics have made it challenging to incorporate the healthy and renewable materials that we have used for centuries. At the same time, stringent modern design traditions hinder the incorporation of recycled and, therefore, non-conforming materials. We need to rediscover the quiet pragmatism embedded in vernacular and Nordic architecture, developing a new aesthetic that accommodates both biogenic and recycled materials.
09
Do away with the tomb aesthetics / build for disassembly
When we hand over a construction project today, we hide the tectonic logic. We seal every surface, and each joint is concealed beneath putty, filler, and paint. Like a tomb, the building materials are left for future generations, without considering that the conditions of life in the house will change. We strive for the smoothest result, thereby making a secret out of the most mundane aspects. This must stop. It shouldbe evident how the house is closed and obvious how it can be opened again.
10
Even Grandma should be able to maintain her own house
A hundred years ago, everyone could understand, repair, and maintain a house because we built simple structures using readily available biogenic materials with straightforward connections and replacement in mind. Both inside and outside, we need to rediscover an aesthetic with manageable components that anyone with a screwdriver and hammer can assemble and disassemble. This way, proper maintenance becomes accessible to everyone.