Urban Repair
A former municipal depot transforms into quality cooperative housing
The municipal building yard occupied this site for decades, leaving behind contamination after its relocation. Long neglected and inaccessible, this centrally located land has been reimagined as a foundation for exceptional cooperative living. Positioned strategically between the heavily trafficked federal highway to the north, the verdant banks of the Oos river to the south, and the adjacent heritage-listed Ooswinkel settlement designed by Paul Schmitthenner, this project represents a thoughtful piece of urban repair.
The new neighbourhood comprises three residential buildings of varying heights that respectfully echo the architectural language of the Schmitthenner estate while extending its logic forward. These structures form a protective acoustic barrier against the federal highway while creating serene, south-facing living spaces immersed in greenery. A striking five-storey cornerstone building serves simultaneously as the quarter's defining edge and a new visual anchor toward the city centre. The new neighbourhood plaza mediates the dialogue between old and new—both a buffer and a vital connection point. The waterfront path linking back to the city centre, severed by decades of industrial use, has been restored as part of the master plan and strengthened through a sequence of thoughtfully designed public spaces. All exterior areas feature high-quality landscaping that mirrors the verdant character of the existing settlement.
The development enriches the Schmitthenner estate's housing stock with barrier-free compact apartments, wheelchair-accessible units, and generous maisonettes topped with terrace gardens. The cooperative spirit is embodied by placing the building cooperative's new administrative headquarters at the heart of the neighbourhood plaza—bridging old and new—alongside a multipurpose room serving all residents. True to the estate's architectural principles, the new buildings employ enduring, high-calibre construction: monolithic exterior walls finished with hydrophilic, textured mineral plaster; large-scale anodised timber-aluminium windows with textile sun shading; solid timber doors; stone window ledges; and exposed concrete surfaces that age gracefully.
Photography Credits:
Dirk Altenkirch
(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 04|23)
Where old and new come into sharp focus
Fragmented Origins: A Compartmentalized Floor Plan Reimagined as Open, Flowing Living Spaces
New to the Ensemble
Town hall with forecourt serves as a connecting node—threading together the distinct parts of the community
Under Three Roofs
Living, Creating, and Exhibiting: A Family Home with Indoor Pool
Villa with a View
Exposed Concrete, Cast Asphalt, and Glass: Where Inside Meets Outside