Living in transition – the legacy of the single-family home

A question of perspective

The study examines the single-family home not only from an architectural perspective, but also from a cultural, social, ecological and economic one – focussing on the Vorarlberg region. Based on literature research, interviews, surveys and personas, it becomes clear that the desire to have a house of one's own still exists. But on closer inspection it often turns out to be the result of social conditioning and a lack of alternatives, rather than a genuine needs-orientation.

Cognitive dissonance and the ideal of owning a home

One key finding: there is a widespread cognitive dissonance between the desire to live and reality. Many people dream of a detached house in the countryside, but at the same time long for urbanity, community, short distances and less responsibility. These contradictions are also reflected in the built reality – in the form of vacancies, oversized living spaces for single and two-person households and high levels of debt.

The price of the dream

The ecological and economic consequences are considerable: land consumption, soil sealing, high energy costs and a growing proportion of unused living space. The situation is also exacerbated by vacancies and problematic inheritance consequences – for example, if properties cannot be used or sold sensibly over generations. The social consequences range from loneliness and the loss of family networks to poverty in old age, especially among women, who often take on the care work and are later left alone in the formerly ‘family-friendly’ home.

Interim conclusion: a rethink is necessary

The work does not call for a general rejection of single-family homes, but rather a profound rethink - not only in planning, but also on the part of the users. A key result of the interviews was the realisation that many people lack a fundamental understanding of the interplay between housing, economy, ecology and social aspects. The single-family home is often perceived as having no alternative - not out of conviction, but due to a lack of tangible, communicated alternatives. This is precisely where the F-Lab comes in: It sees the heritage of the detached house as a starting point for transformation - through conversion, division, refurbishment or demolition. Instead of standardised solutions, it advocates diverse, contextual housing models that come closer to real life realities - and at the same time incorporate knowledge about housing itself.

Showing attitude

As an office with a strong connection to the region and a long tradition of sustainable construction, we see architecture as a mediator between space, users and the future. Building is always also a cultural practice. That is why we ideally design spaces and, above all, living spaces that respond to real needs instead of reproducing standardised ideals. We are committed to not demonising the single-family home, but to freeing it from its simplification and understanding it for what it is: an expression of past but changeable models of living.

Classification

The topic "The legacy of the detached house" is by no means a regional phenomenon – it touches on fundamental questions of our time: How do we want to live? How do we deal with space, resources and social structures?

Current exhibitions such as "SUBURBIA. The Unstoppable City" at the Architekturzentrum in Vienna (until 4 August 2025) or initiatives such as "Soil for All" show how critically the ideal of the single-family home is now being viewed – ecologically, economically and socially. This narrative is also being re-evaluated at a European level, for example by the New European Bauhaus, which stands for a sustainable, inclusive and aesthetically high-quality living environment.

The F-Lab's contribution is part of this dynamic, but consciously anchors it in the regional context of Vorarlberg – a region with a strong building culture and at the same time deeply rooted single-family house ideals. It reflects the attitude of Dietrich Untertrifaller: architecture as a mediator between place, people and the future – and as an active driving force for a sustainable living culture.

Conclusion: Rethinking living culture

The single-family home has long symbolised a successful life – today it increasingly stands for outdated concepts and missed opportunities. Today's challenges demand more than nostalgic housing ideals. They need concrete, realisable alternatives – and architecture that actively shapes change.

The F-Lab sees itself as a driving force in this process: it scrutinises existing narratives, makes complexity tangible and demonstrates that living culture is not a static legacy, but a shapeable space for the future. Now is the time to rethink this space – together, contextually and with the courage to change.