When the administration relocated, the district office—perched above the university campus—fell into prolonged vacancy. Slated for demolition and replacement, the deteriorating structure found new purpose through the vision of architects Florian Danner and Abdul Yildiz and lighting designer Jens Maier. They acquired the building and swiftly transformed it into refugee housing in 2014, working within tight budgetary constraints. The interim period that followed proved invaluable, allowing the team to secure the necessary planning permissions and building rights through a comprehensive development plan. With approval for vertical expansion and lateral extension secured, the building revealed its true potential—its robust construction and disciplined structural clarity proved remarkably adaptable to diverse uses.

For the conversion into a residential and commercial building, the reinforced concrete skeletal structure was stripped back to raw construction level. To create bright, spacious work areas for the planning offices of the building owners (Danner Yildiz Architekten and Maierlighting), intermediate walls and precast parapets were removed. Floor-to-ceiling glazing now provides even northern light and unobstructed views of the city center. The building's north-facing orientation eliminated the need for shading devices and cooling systems. The 1960s structure was extended with two residential floors in lightweight construction without complications. Thanks to prefabrication, the raw construction with a steel frame and embedded solid timber ceilings was completed in just ten days. The two new floors are substantially set back from the existing façade plane to create space for roof terraces and to make the building appear less massive from a distance. On the mountain side, the residential levels extend beyond the existing structure. They are supported by a reinforced concrete grid that creates its own space for the openly configured circulation zone. Walking across the freely suspended staircases, bridges, and platforms creates both an intense connection to the surrounding vegetation and exposed rock, as well as the opportunity to experience all three spatial dimensions. Toward the street, an angled building joint frames the entrance and guides visitors via a ramp in a barrier-free manner into the covered courtyard.

Although the existing raw structure was largely preserved, the building is barely recognizable. The building structure and site underwent genuine upcycling through design enhancement and diversified multi-use programming. Ten residential units and 1,490 m² of office space are accommodated within. With comprehensive thermal insulation, the residential floors achieve KfW 40 energy efficiency standard. The building is supplied with district heating via combined heat and power generation and renewable energy sources.

www.dy-architekten.de

Photography Credits:

Zooey Braun
www.zooeybraun.de

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 03|23)