Existenzminimum: the contents of a minimum house

Abstract

The catalyst for my research report was the discovery of an article ("Existenzminimum Home" in Arguitectura 301 1995) discussing the work of German architect Alexander Klein in the late 1920s. Following discussions at the ClAM (Congres lnternationaux d'Architecture Moderne) Congress of 1929, he developed a theory on the concept of the 'existenzminimum', or the 'minimum housing unit'. He devised a series of rules in order to determine the 'existenzminimum'. These rules were: 1. rooms arrangement 2. dimensions 3. furniture 4. orientation and lighting