Urban Infill Housing: The Innovative Backyard House by Super Future Collective

In the heart of Nuremberg, Germany, the Backyard House by Super Future Collective redefines urban infill housing, offering a thoughtful architectural response to limited space, dense environments, and sustainable living. This three-story residential project transforms a previously underutilized backyard into a modern, light-filled living space, seamlessly integrating with the existing urban fabric while maintaining a distinct architectural identity.

Maximizing Space in a Densely Built Urban Environment

Located on Fürther Street, the project was developed to fill a construction gap, maximizing residential capacity in an area where available land is scarce. Three residential units are arranged within a compact yet efficient structure, oriented towards a shared courtyard that connects the new building with the existing front house.

Given its north-facing orientation, the design strategically incorporates large façade openings to ensure natural daylight penetration, enhancing energy efficiency and livability in a densely built setting. By prioritizing light, openness, and functionality, the project overcomes spatial constraints while fostering a sense of community.

Innovative Access and Flexible Interior Layouts

Access to the apartments is via an external freestanding staircase, an element that serves a dual purpose. The deep stair landings extend beyond circulation, functioning as semi-private outdoor spaces that offer views of the courtyard and create informal gathering spots.

Each apartment follows a modular open-plan design, featuring a centralized core that houses the bathroom, dressing area, and storage. This strategic layout allows the living and dining zones to remain adaptable, accommodating different needs and lifestyles. A curtain partition separates the sleeping area, offering privacy without compromising spatial fluidity.

A long built-in window bench along the courtyard-facing façade serves multiple purposes—providing additional storage, seating, and a design element that fosters connection with the surrounding environment.

A Façade That Reflects and Interacts with Its Surroundings

The exterior design of the Backyard House sets it apart from its surroundings. Jagged aluminum cladding gives the building a distinct sculptural character, reflecting both the changing colors of the sky and neighboring structures. This light-colored material enhances daylight diffusion into the courtyard, subtly amplifying the sense of openness in the compact urban site.

Structural Innovations and Sustainable Construction

The project navigated significant engineering challenges due to war-related soil embankments, requiring micro-drilled pile foundations for stability. The building structure consists of high-hole bricks with a ventilated façade, ensuring thermal efficiency and durability. Prefabricated ceiling and staircase elements further optimize construction time and minimize material waste.

A signature green accent color unifies the design, appearing on balustrades, window frames, bathroom tiles, and cabinetry details. This carefully chosen hue contrasts with the neutral materials, adding vibrancy while maintaining a timeless aesthetic.

Urban Infill Housing as a Model for Future Cities

The Backyard House exemplifies the potential of urban infill housing in addressing housing shortages, sustainability, and efficient land use. By transforming underutilized backyard spaces into high-quality residential units, the project serves as a model for future city developments that prioritize adaptive reuse, architectural innovation, and community engagement.

All Photographs are works of Kim Fohmann