Student housing is scarce in Bavaria's capital city. The newly opened "United Homes Giesing" – a residential complex on the city's eastern edge – goes some way toward addressing this shortage. Completed in spring of last year, the building was designed by architect Jürgen Seifert.

Anchoring the eastern corner of Kager- and Chiemgaustraße along the busy Mittlerer Ring, the new structure represents urban infill at its finest. What was once a fragmented, under-utilized intersection has been transformed—the gap is now closed.

Six above-ground levels accommodate sixty-five apartments of varying sizes, with a third offering barrier-free accessibility. The striking façade immediately commands attention, articulated by a regular rhythm of exposed concrete elements that provide visual privacy. Between them, expansive windows either project outward as cube-like protrusions or sit flush with the building's skin. The footprint from ground level through the third floor spans the building's full length, while the upper floors taper tower-like toward the street corner, creating a dynamic accent. Above the third level, this sculptural reduction opens space for a generous shared roof terrace accessible to all residents. A gently sloped flat roof crowns the composition.

The ground floor features an expansive communal area designed as a social hub—a place to gather, unwind, collaborate, or enjoy entertainment and connection.

Each apartment features a combined living and sleeping area, kitchenette, and bathroom. Wave-shaped balconies wrap around the building's rear facade. Through intelligent, high-density planning, the full floors accommodate up to 15 units while avoiding any institutional feel. Units range from 17 to 37 m². Convenient amenities include a supermarket and fitness studio directly across the street, plus excellent transport connections—both a nearby bus stop and the U-Bahn station at Giesinger Bahnhof, reachable in roughly 15 minutes on foot. The building employs solid construction methods and achieves KfW 55 certification through its exceptional energy efficiency standards.

www.juergenseifert.com

Photography:
Rainer Taepper
www.rainertaepper.com

(Published in CUBE Munich 01|25)