Allotment gardens are changing. One driver of this change is not only the demographic development, which has resulted in a generation change. The corona years have also brought about a change in lifestyle: there is a great need, especially in urban areas, for a place in the immediate vicinity that offers peace and quiet, creates opportunities for self-realisation and provides a basis for self-sufficiency.

But allotment gardens are much more than that: they are social networks based on the commitment and cohesion of their members. Allotment gardens are places of living democracy where people from different social classes come together and engage in lively dialogue. And they also contribute as urban cold air oases to climate warming and in many cases make a significant contribution to the protection of biodiversity.

The project "Laube neu gedacht" is a cooperation project between the Bundesverband der Kleingartenvereine Deutschlands e. V. (BKD) and students of the Design degree programme at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam under the direction of Hermann Weizenegger, Professor of Industrial Design, and product designer Aylin Kayser.

The aim of the project was to develop a realistic design for a sustainable arbour with a focus on environmental friendliness, social justice ? and compliance with the Federal Allotment Garden Act. At the same time, the arbour was to be designed to be functional and user-friendly, with accessibility and the promotion of biodiversity also forming part of the requirements profile.

In the first phase of a design seminar in 2024, four pergola concepts were created based on extensive research into materials and joining techniques as well as qualitative interviews to analyse the needs of the target group. To ensure that the designs would stand up to the planned realisation, the students received specialist support from the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) under the direction of Klaus Dreiner, Professor of Woodworking & Wood Processing, and wood engineer Philipp Baier.

In the second design phase, the four concepts were assessed and evaluated by a panel of experts. The best design approaches were merged into a final design: "NARA ? NAturRAum und Gartenhaus!".

The realisation of the prototype was supported by the timber construction engineer Philipp Baier, the timber construction was manufactured and sponsored by Schmidt & Th¨¹rmer, and it was assembled and finalised down to the last detail in the HNEE workshops.

The result is a prototype that is easy and quick to realise in production and can also be assembled by the allotment gardeners themselves. All elements are interchangeable and repairable. In addition, the arbour can be adapted in size and also in the ratio between the outdoor and indoor areas. Also important: the price remains affordable while at the same time focussing on robustness, durability and environmentally friendly use of materials.

When the prototype was created, subsequent series production was considered and taken into account.

The "sustainable arbour" is now being presented to the public for the first time. The whole thing will then be evaluated and revised. It remains exciting!