The architects, who were also the developers of the Freebooter project, chose a steel and cross-laminated pine structure for it: this solution turned out to be only 10% more expensive than reinforced concrete. 98% of the wood used is eco-certified, therefore, without any reservations, we are talking only about the positive role of this material - about storing carbon inside it, which significantly reduces the CO2 footprint of the building (if the tree is allowed to rot, then all the carbon accumulated during its life will return to atmosphere). 125.5 m3 of Freebooter timber contains almost 80 tonnes of CO2, which equals the exhaust gas of an average car over 700,000 kilometers or the energy consumption of 87 apartments or single-family houses in a full year.
In addition to the structure, sun-protection slats are made of wood, which also protect residents from outside views. The authors of the project thought over their location throughout the year, fixing the illumination of the site at different times of the day, depending on the season. For the lamellas, folded thuja wood is used.
The image of the building is inspired by the sea: its bottom was at the construction site a hundred years ago, but now it is an embankment of Zeburgereiland on the banks of the Ei River. The nautical theme is reflected in the streamlined lines and flowing spaces outside and especially in the interior, which sometimes resembles a cabin, as well as in the name - the English word freebooter, derived from the Dutch vrijbuiter, means “filibuster”.
Materials - steel, wood and glass - are also quite shipbuilding. The structure was completely prefabricated, so the actual construction took only three weeks, but the finishing took about six months. On four floors, there are two apartments of 120 m2 each. In the central core there is a bathroom and a kitchen, around - bedrooms, a common room and a dining room, a large terrace.
Household energy consumption is close to zero. This purpose is served by 24 solar panels on the roof, high-performance insulation of facades, including glazing, low-temperature heated floors, the use of mechanical and natural ventilation.
-
Image 
zooming 1/3 Residential building Freebooter Photo © Francisco Nogueira
-
zooming 2/3 Freebooter Residential Building Photo © Francisco Nogueira
-
zooming 3/3 Residential building Freebooter Photo © Michael Sieber
-
Image 
zooming 1/4 Residential building Freebooter Photo © Francisco Nogueira
-
zooming 2/4 Residential building Freebooter Photo © Francisco Nogueira
-
zooming 3/4 Residential building Freebooter Photo © Francisco Nogueira
-
zooming 4/4 Residential building Freebooter Photo © Francisco Nogueira
