Article Successful Start
In Cube
Page 34-35
Beautiful Togetherness
The property on Frankenforster Straße in Bergisch Gladbach already contained residential and commercial buildings. The task now was to fill the remaining vacant spaces and, together with the existing buildings, create a residential complex with condominiums. Rheinkarat, as the client, entrusted the Berlin-based firm MTTR Architekten+Stadtplaner with this task. The idea was developed to build two new residential buildings in such a way that, together with one of the existing buildings, they would create an inviting, green courtyard that the owners could use as a meeting place. The two new residential buildings were positioned slightly offset from each other and each is divided into two parts by a transparent and open staircase.
Since the new buildings were planned as energy-efficient buildings, wood was used primarily as the primary building material. It was chosen not only for the structure but also for the facade cladding of the residential buildings. Each individual apartment has a spacious terrace or loggia facing the courtyard. Thanks to the terraces on the second floor, the building volume is broken up so that the new buildings blend seamlessly with the existing structure. The architectural team positioned the terraces to create a gradation in volume compared to the neighboring buildings. To make the buildings, which comprise a mix of small, medium, and large apartments, accessible to all age groups, elevators were integrated into all buildings. This means the apartments can become new homes for young families as well as for older people or people with disabilities. The underground parking garage, built beneath one of the buildings, offers further convenience. A special feature was the outdoor areas: These were not divided into private gardens for ground-floor residents. On the contrary, they are freely accessible to all residents. They are connected by a path that crosses the site. Adjacent to these are three small open spaces, which are equipped with green space to the north and with flowerbeds and a play and recreation area to the east. "For those who value sustainable mobility, we have integrated covered bicycle parking spaces close to the buildings," says architect André Schmidt, adding: "We hope that by positioning the bicycle parking spaces and designing the open outdoor areas, we will achieve our goal of fostering community within the residential complexes.
Article Beautiful Togetherness
In Cube
Page 14-15
Beautiful Togetherness
The property on Frankenforster Straße in Bergisch Gladbach already contained residential and commercial buildings. The task now was to fill the remaining vacant spaces and, together with the existing buildings, create a residential complex with condominiums. Rheinkarat, as the client, entrusted the Berlin-based firm MTTR Architekten+Stadtplaner with this task. The idea was developed to build two new residential buildings in such a way that, together with one of the existing buildings, they would create an inviting, green courtyard that the owners could use as a meeting place. The two new residential buildings were positioned slightly offset from each other and each is divided into two parts by a transparent and open staircase.
Since the new buildings were planned as energy-efficient buildings, wood was used primarily as the primary building material. It was chosen not only for the structure but also for the facade cladding of the residential buildings. Each individual apartment has a spacious terrace or loggia facing the courtyard. Thanks to the terraces on the second floor, the building volume is broken up so that the new buildings blend seamlessly with the existing structure. The architectural team positioned the terraces to create a gradation in volume compared to the neighboring buildings. To make the buildings, which comprise a mix of small, medium, and large apartments, accessible to all age groups, elevators were integrated into all buildings. This means the apartments can become new homes for young families as well as for older people or people with disabilities. The underground parking garage, built beneath one of the buildings, offers further convenience. A special feature was the outdoor areas: These were not divided into private gardens for ground-floor residents. On the contrary, they are freely accessible to all residents. They are connected by a path that crosses the site. Adjacent to these are three small open spaces, which are equipped with green space to the north and with flowerbeds and a play and recreation area to the east. "For those who value sustainable mobility, we have integrated covered bicycle parking spaces close to the buildings," says architect André Schmidt, adding: "We hope that by positioning the bicycle parking spaces and designing the open outdoor areas, we will achieve our goal of fostering community within the residential complexes.