Rooted in place, built to last
Four energy-efficient, sustainable volumes create a diverse residential mix.
The site was occupied by simple post-war residential buildings whose structural integrity could no longer be preserved. The redesign called for a delicate balance: strengthening the urban landscape through careful densification while respecting the area's established character. The vision was clear—double the living space without scaling up the building footprint, maintain the neighborhood's typological identity, and work within existing regulations to avoid lengthy approval processes.
Freivogel Mayer Architects' winning design delivers four compact volumes in timeless architectural language, each featuring loggia zones clad in precast concrete shelving systems and traditional brick gable roofs. The solid construction approach—plaster facades with no composite materials—ensures durability and honest expression. All 50 apartments are accessible through four well-conceived entry cores, each fully barrier-free. Clever spatial planning eliminates the need for costly roof dormers and loggias; instead, the top floors feature maisonette units with private outdoor terraces, while smaller rooms nestled within the roof structure serve as flexible living spaces. Load-bearing walls give way to open floor plans, offering residents adaptable interiors. A thoughtfully mixed housing program supports social diversity and neighborhood vitality. The shared green spaces at the heart of the development remain as gathering and play areas for residents, while streetside front gardens and hedging patterns echo the area's traditional character. All residences meet KfW 55 efficiency standards. A wood-fired combined heat and power system, paired with solar thermal technology from the local utility, covers heating demand. Hot water is generated per unit via drinking water stations, reducing energy loss through circulation lines. Construction prioritizes solid materials and mineral insulation, with hydrophilic plaster systems replacing synthetic products—a strategy that ensures the buildings can be deconstructed and their materials recovered when their useful life ends.
www.freivogelmayer.de
www.wohnungsbau-ludwigsburg.de
Photography Credits:
Dietmar Strauß
www.dietmar-strauss.de
(Featured in CUBE Stuttgart 03|22)
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