Come on in!

Mosaik-Haus

From many pieces of a mosaic, we are creating a place in the Saxon hinterland where dreams and ideas can be realised. Come by and take a look around!

The first step has been taken. The renovation is now underway and everyone can help. What's your contribution to the mosaic?

Chronicle of the house project
2015 - 2022

Sanctuary

Over several years, memorable celebrations, relaxing weekends, work meetings of associations or small events with music and workshops take place here. All of this amongst a wider circle of friends and acquaintances and in the presence of the owner, Grandma Hannelore. The first project sketches for a house project under the name "Gute Stube" are created.

Spring 2021

The Story Behind the Name

During an art therapy session in which we are working on a large mosaic, we talk a lot about the house and the possibilities it offers. "Does the house already have a name?" - We look at the mosaic in front of us and the name is born. We immediately secure the domain mosaik.haus.

July 2022

A Magical Weekend

For the last time so far, dozens of people are flocking to the Mosaic House. From Friday to Sunday, it's time to escape the daily grind and enjoy life. The question of all questions: "Why has this beautiful house been empty for so long?"

August 2022

The Idea Takes Shape

As a group of four, we are seriously considering moving out of Dresden back to the countryside and setting up a housing project for the first time. The Mosaik-Haus catches our eye.

07 October 2022

End & Beginning

The owner, Grandma Hannelore, falls asleep peacefully for the last time and leaves the house and property to her children. It is to be sold. We talk to the heirs and come to an agreement to buy it from them for the planned house project.

January 2023

Which Legal Form?

We receive advice from the Dezentrale, weigh up the pros and cons of various options and finally decide to turn the Mosaik-Haus with the help of the Mietshäuser Syndikat to common property.

March 2023

Valuation Report

A reason to celebrate: After preparing a valuation report, we agree on the sale price with the community of heirs.

April 2023

Foundation of the Association

During a retreat weekend at Mosaik-Haus, we hold the founding meeting of Mosaik-Haus SOE e.V.. This association is to be a shareholder of the future limited company to which the house will be transferred.

May 2023

4 become 6

Our group is growing. Juls, Olaf, Lou and Libelle are joined by Bela and Anja.

Summer 2023

Networking Events

Meetings for interested individuals, neighbour meetings and construction days in the Mosaik-Haus are well attended and give us a lot of motivation. We introduce ourselves at the Zwieselfest in the village.

December 2023

Formation of the Limited Liability Company

Finally, all the documents are ready and we turn up at the notary's office for the founding meeting of Mosaik-Haus Zwiesel GmbH. With this company, we are planning to buy the house and have therefore taken one of the most important steps on the way to self-administered living in the Mosaik-Haus.

January 2024

Account Opening & 1st Subordinated Loan

We receive confirmation that our GmbH has been entered in the commercial register. This allows us to open the business account. The payment of the share capital of €25,000 is made immediately afterwards and we receive the first subordinated loan from our fantastic supporters shortly afterwards.

02. April 2024

Sales date

With the help of over 30 private lenders, we were able to buy the house on April 2, 2024 - without any help from the banks. The heirs and the house group met at the notary to seal this long-awaited and important step. From now on, the house and property are owned by the Mosaik-Haus Zwiesel Ltd.

until summer 2026

Renovation

By the end of 2024, almost all the wallpaper had been removed, entire containers full of wooden boarding had been removed, kilos of insulating wool had been disposed of, tiling had been removed, window lintels had been uncovered and furniture had been disposed of or temporarily stored for later use. With the support of “stetzler architektur”, the implementation planning has been completed and the project will now primarily be supervised by the “Bauplanung Kühn” office, which has excellent connections with the local construction companies.

Status Quo

1975 gebaut, ca. 200 m² Wohnfläche und über 1.200 m² Grundstück: Seit April 2024 gehört das Haus der Mosaik-Haus Zwiesel GmbH. Aktuell wird saniert bis Sommer 2026. Außerdem möchten wir das Haus in Gemeinschaftseigentum überführen und bekommen dafür Hilfe vom Mietshäuser Syndikat.

The Story of a Mosaic

August 2022. The sun tickles my nose as I gently rock from left to right in the hammock. My eyes are closed and colourful images from last night flicker through my mind. Next door on the terrace, people are still eating, the smell of coffee unites with the warm summer air. A few scraps of words reach my ears, sounds in German, Arabic, Czech, English, Farsi, Hindi, Kurdish overlap. Together with the birdsong, it sounds almost harmonious. Suddenly, cold water drips down on me. The source is quickly identified: a few friends are back from forest bathing in the river.

I would like to preserve this moment in the garden, as if with a Polaroid camera. While an image of the scenery burns itself into my memory, I explore mentally the question of what actually started it all. Maybe it was in the summer of 2016, when a packed bus brought its passengers back to the city after a feel-good weekend at Mosaik House. From that moment on, we all shared the desire to return to this place of rest and relaxation, which had also released so much creativity in us at the same time. Almost naturally, without having to think about it, we came back year after year. One beautiful collective memory followed the next, one idea gave rise to many others. The group of fortunate people who have come to enjoy this place now grew steadily.

However, to add another piece to the mosaic and to better understand the beginnings of the house, we have to go back a little further in history: Planned in the 1970s by the father of the family and built in a joint effort, fate had other plans for the family still living in it at the time. Much too early, shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall, the father died. By the turn of the millennium, all four children had already moved out. From then on, only the widow, who had become a grandmother in the meantime, lived on the property, albeit in the smaller of the two houses, which was originally intended as a building site accommodation. It would take more than 15 years until we, the 3rd generation in the history of the house, rediscovered the magic of this place, surrounded by woods, sandstone and water. Far beyond the confines of village life, we first wandered the world, broadened our horizons and grew wings. Now the time has come to put down new roots. The changes we have personally gone through in recent years will not spare the Mosaic House.

This is how we came to consider the one question of all questions, namely how such a beautiful house could have remained empty for such a long time, as an opportunity to rethink our future. The feeling of happiness that fulfils us every time we are there is the impetus to make the dream of the Mosaic House come true. This patch of earth is as colourful and versatile as the people who have been pouring life into it since its earliest days. Through communal living and plenty of space for engagement and activism, we want to play our part in the mosaic of a just world.

In eternal gratitude and in memory of Grandma.

Chronicle of the house project
2015 - 2022

Sanctuary

Over several years, memorable celebrations, relaxing weekends, work meetings of associations or small events with music and workshops take place here. All of this amongst a wider circle of friends and acquaintances and in the presence of the owner, Grandma Hannelore. The first project sketches for a house project under the name "Gute Stube" are created.

Spring 2021

The Story Behind the Name

During an art therapy session in which we are working on a large mosaic, we talk a lot about the house and the possibilities it offers. "Does the house already have a name?" - We look at the mosaic in front of us and the name is born. We immediately secure the domain mosaik.haus.

July 2022

A Magical Weekend

For the last time so far, dozens of people are flocking to the Mosaic House. From Friday to Sunday, it's time to escape the daily grind and enjoy life. The question of all questions: "Why has this beautiful house been empty for so long?"

August 2022

The Idea Takes Shape

As a group of four, we are seriously considering moving out of Dresden back to the countryside and setting up a housing project for the first time. The Mosaik-Haus catches our eye.

07 October 2022

End & Beginning

The owner, Grandma Hannelore, falls asleep peacefully for the last time and leaves the house and property to her children. It is to be sold. We talk to the heirs and come to an agreement to buy it from them for the planned house project.

January 2023

Which Legal Form?

We receive advice from the Dezentrale, weigh up the pros and cons of various options and finally decide to turn the Mosaik-Haus with the help of the Mietshäuser Syndikat to common property.

March 2023

Valuation Report

A reason to celebrate: After preparing a valuation report, we agree on the sale price with the community of heirs.

April 2023

Foundation of the Association

During a retreat weekend at Mosaik-Haus, we hold the founding meeting of Mosaik-Haus SOE e.V.. This association is to be a shareholder of the future limited company to which the house will be transferred.

May 2023

4 become 6

Our group is growing. Juls, Olaf, Lou and Libelle are joined by Bela and Anja.

Summer 2023

Networking Events

Meetings for interested individuals, neighbour meetings and construction days in the Mosaik-Haus are well attended and give us a lot of motivation. We introduce ourselves at the Zwieselfest in the village.

December 2023

Formation of the Limited Liability Company

Finally, all the documents are ready and we turn up at the notary's office for the founding meeting of Mosaik-Haus Zwiesel GmbH. With this company, we are planning to buy the house and have therefore taken one of the most important steps on the way to self-administered living in the Mosaik-Haus.

January 2024

Account Opening & 1st Subordinated Loan

We receive confirmation that our GmbH has been entered in the commercial register. This allows us to open the business account. The payment of the share capital of €25,000 is made immediately afterwards and we receive the first subordinated loan from our fantastic supporters shortly afterwards.

02. April 2024

Sales date

With the help of over 30 private lenders, we were able to buy the house on April 2, 2024 - without any help from the banks. The heirs and the house group met at the notary to seal this long-awaited and important step. From now on, the house and property are owned by the Mosaik-Haus Zwiesel Ltd.

until summer 2026

Renovation

By the end of 2024, almost all the wallpaper had been removed, entire containers full of wooden boarding had been removed, kilos of insulating wool had been disposed of, tiling had been removed, window lintels had been uncovered and furniture had been disposed of or temporarily stored for later use. With the support of “stetzler architektur”, the implementation planning has been completed and the project will now primarily be supervised by the “Bauplanung Kühn” office, which has excellent connections with the local construction companies.

Status Quo

Ca. 200 m² Wohnfläche und über 1.200 m² Grundstücksfläche bilden zusammen das schöne Mosaik-Haus. 1975 fertiggestellt, erinnerten Bauweise und Innenleben bis vor Kurzem stark an die DDR.

Im April 2024 haben wir das Haus gekauft. Seitdem sanieren wir das Haus in Eigenleistung sowie mit verschiedenen Gewerken und einer Bauleitung. In Zukunft möchten wir das Mosaik-Haus in Gemeinschaftseigentum überführen und bekommen dafür Hilfe vom Mietshäuser Syndikat.

The Story of a Mosaic

August 2022. The sun tickles my nose as I gently rock from left to right in the hammock. My eyes are closed and colourful images from last night flicker through my mind. Next door on the terrace, people are still eating, the smell of coffee unites with the warm summer air. A few scraps of words reach my ears, sounds in German, Arabic, Czech, English, Farsi, Hindi, Kurdish overlap. Together with the birdsong, it sounds almost harmonious. Suddenly, cold water drips down on me. The source is quickly identified: a few friends are back from forest bathing in the river.

I would like to preserve this moment in the garden, as if with a Polaroid camera. While an image of the scenery burns itself into my memory, I explore mentally the question of what actually started it all. Maybe it was in the summer of 2016, when a packed bus brought its passengers back to the city after a feel-good weekend at Mosaik House. From that moment on, we all shared the desire to return to this place of rest and relaxation, which had also released so much creativity in us at the same time. Almost naturally, without having to think about it, we came back year after year. One beautiful collective memory followed the next, one idea gave rise to many others. The group of fortunate people who have come to enjoy this place now grew steadily.

However, to add another piece to the mosaic and to better understand the beginnings of the house, we have to go back a little further in history: Planned in the 1970s by the father of the family and built in a joint effort, fate had other plans for the family still living in it at the time. Much too early, shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall, the father died. By the turn of the millennium, all four children had already moved out. From then on, only the widow, who had become a grandmother in the meantime, lived on the property, albeit in the smaller of the two houses, which was originally intended as a building site accommodation. It would take more than 15 years until we, the 3rd generation in the history of the house, rediscovered the magic of this place, surrounded by woods, sandstone and water. Far beyond the confines of village life, we first wandered the world, broadened our horizons and grew wings. Now the time has come to put down new roots. The changes we have personally gone through in recent years will not spare the Mosaic House.

This is how we came to consider the one question of all questions, namely how such a beautiful house could have remained empty for such a long time, as an opportunity to rethink our future. The feeling of happiness that fulfils us every time we are there is the impetus to make the dream of the Mosaic House come true. This patch of earth is as colourful and versatile as the people who have been pouring life into it since its earliest days. Through communal living and plenty of space for engagement and activism, we want to play our part in the mosaic of a just world.

In eternal gratitude and in memory of Grandma.

Would you like to support us or participate in the project yourself?

Your time ...

... helps us through volunteering on the property or participating in events. 

Your money ...

... helps us to finance the purchase and renovation. You don't have to donate anything, instead you can just give us a loan.

Your network ...

... helps us to spread the word about the project. Pass it on, we'll be happy to give you stickers and flyers!

You yourself ...

... can still move into one of the two free rooms and become part of the house group. The plenary is always on Wednesdays!
2015 - 2022

Sanctuary

Over several years, memorable celebrations, relaxing weekends, work meetings of associations or small events with music and workshops take place here. All of this amongst a wider circle of friends and acquaintances and in the presence of the owner, Grandma Hannelore. The first project sketches for a house project under the name "Gute Stube" are created.

Spring 2021

The Story Behind the Name

During an art therapy session in which we are working on a large mosaic, we talk a lot about the house and the possibilities it offers. "Does the house already have a name?" - We look at the mosaic in front of us and the name is born. We immediately secure the domain mosaik.haus.

July 2022

A Magical Weekend

For the last time so far, dozens of people are flocking to the Mosaic House. From Friday to Sunday, it's time to escape the daily grind and enjoy life. The question of all questions: "Why has this beautiful house been empty for so long?"

August 2022

The Idea Takes Shape

As a group of four, we are seriously considering moving out of Dresden back to the countryside and setting up a housing project for the first time. The Mosaik-Haus catches our eye.

07 October 2022

End & Beginning

The owner, Grandma Hannelore, falls asleep peacefully for the last time and leaves the house and property to her children. It is to be sold. We talk to the heirs and come to an agreement to buy it from them for the planned house project.

January 2023

Which Legal Form?

We receive advice from the Dezentrale, weigh up the pros and cons of various options and finally decide to turn the Mosaik-Haus with the help of the Mietshäuser Syndikat to common property.

March 2023

Valuation Report

A reason to celebrate: After preparing a valuation report, we agree on the sale price with the community of heirs.

April 2023

Foundation of the Association

During a retreat weekend at Mosaik-Haus, we hold the founding meeting of Mosaik-Haus SOE e.V.. This association is to be a shareholder of the future limited company to which the house will be transferred.

May 2023

4 become 6

Our group is growing. Juls, Olaf, Lou and Libelle are joined by Bela and Anja.

Summer 2023

Networking Events

Meetings for interested individuals, neighbour meetings and construction days in the Mosaik-Haus are well attended and give us a lot of motivation. We introduce ourselves at the Zwieselfest in the village.

December 2023

Formation of the Limited Liability Company

Finally, all the documents are ready and we turn up at the notary's office for the founding meeting of Mosaik-Haus Zwiesel GmbH. With this company, we are planning to buy the house and have therefore taken one of the most important steps on the way to self-administered living in the Mosaik-Haus.

January 2024

Account Opening & 1st Subordinated Loan

We receive confirmation that our GmbH has been entered in the commercial register. This allows us to open the business account. The payment of the share capital of €25,000 is made immediately afterwards and we receive the first subordinated loan from our fantastic supporters shortly afterwards.

März 2024

Sales date

nahe Zukunft

Sanierung & Einzug

Memories of Days in the Mosaik-Haus and all around:

We strive for collective self-organisation. Living here means being together instead of alone. The house community is an important network that can help us cope with everyday life.

We demand (& realise) affordable rents, participation, common ownership and co-determination without equity. Safe and affordable housing means a better quality of life for all.

It is important to us not only to treat each other with solidarity, but also to look at goods and consumer goods and their production conditions from a perspective of mindfulness. 

Our democratic structure and consensus-based decision-making processes ensure that everyone can participate in the mosaic house on an equal footing.

In addition to networking and mutual help in the MHS, we also strive for a close connection to local society here and elsewhere. We want to build bridges and overcome geographical borders.

What there is no room for in the house: All forms of discrimination, oppression, group-related enmity and inequality (racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, etc.).

How do you actually get to the Mosaik-Haus?

By public transport to the Mosaic House [1 h].

The journey to the Mosaik-Haus takes about 1 hour from Dresden. First you take the train to Pirna. There you take one of the 219 or 216 buses at the bus station and reach your destination in about 20 minutes. Because of the three fare zones, the €49 ticket is particularly advantageous here.

Something to enjoy: Journey by bike [2 hrs.]

On the bike, follow the Elbe cycle path to Pirna and then take the country road through the forest further upstream along the Gottleuba river. Expect it to take 2 1/2 hours. Due to the gradient, the way back to Dresden is almost as fast as the bus and train.

Short drive thanks to the motorway [1/2 h].

The proximity to the A17 motorway means that it only takes an average of 30 minutes to get from Dresden's main railway station to the door of the Mosaik-Haus by car. However, as it is bad for the environment and parking spaces are limited, we do not recommend it.

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Animated impressions

Location

Journey

from Dresden

Public Transport (1 hour)

The journey to the Mosaik-Haus takes about 1 hour from Dresden. First you take the train to Pirna. There you take one of the 219 or 216 buses at the bus station and reach your destination in about 20 minutes. Because of the three fare zones, the €49 ticket is particularly advantageous here.

Bicycle (2 hours)

On the bike, follow the Elbe cycle path to Pirna and then take the country road through the forest further upstream along the Gottleuba river. Expect it to take 2 1/2 hours. Due to the gradient, the way back to Dresden is almost as fast as the bus and train.

Car (30 minutes)

The proximity to the A17 motorway means that it only takes an average of 30 minutes to get from Dresden's main railway station to the door of the Mosaik-Haus by car. However, as it is bad for the environment and parking spaces are limited, we do not recommend it.

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