Sargfabrik

The Sargfabrik is a self-administered housing project in Vienna, Austria, with a strong social focus on integration and equality. The project was realized by the non-profit association "Verein für Integrative Lebensgestaltung" (VIL) in the 14th district of Vienna. The building, originally a coffin factory, was renovated and reopened in 1996, offering 73 residential units, communal spaces, and public facilities such as a cultural house, restaurant, childcare facility, event hall, conference room, and bathhouse. These services generate income for the association, which is reinvested in the building's maintenance and further development. In 2000, the association expanded to a neighboring building, adding 39 more residential units known as "Miss Sargfabrik." The project is characterized by its emphasis on community living, with residents making up the members of the association and participating in decision-making processes through regular meetings and a cooperative-like contract.