The new development project Tiroler Damm 16 A–E is situated in a desirable and tranquil residential area in the south of Potsdam, within Waldstadt 1. This is one of the oldest so-called "Potsdam New Development Areas." Waldstadt 1 was built starting in the late 1950s within a wooded section at the edge of Potsdam's municipal boundary, and the residential district is characterized by its large-scale block construction. In addition to multi-story apartment buildings, the area features idyllic allotment gardens and modern row houses and single-family homes. The mature tree stock and proximity to the forest are hallmarks of Waldstadt 1.

On a plot of just under 11,000 m², five residential buildings with a total of 95 apartments were constructed along Tiroler Damm between 2015 and 2019. The design concept allocated 75 percent of the apartments for tenants with lower incomes. This socially responsible urban development was a key consideration in creating new housing stock. Galandi Schirmer Architekten + Ingenieure designed the residential complex on behalf of ProPotsdam, which, through its eleven subsidiaries, operates as the largest housing company in the state capital of Potsdam and provides services in urban renewal, urban development, residential construction, and housing services.

Five identical five-story perimeter block buildings without height variation are arranged on the building plot in such a way that the residential structures do not cast shadows on each other. They were constructed using solid building methods with reinforced concrete and masonry walls in the individual stories. Buildings 1 and 2 form the gateway to the residential complex and stand orthogonal to the existing residential structures of the surrounding neighborhood. Buildings 3, 4, and 5 are arranged with angular offsets relative to each other. The apartments range from 40 to 85 m² with one-and-a-half to four rooms. All units are accessible via elevator and feature a balcony. While cost constraints imposed by subsidized housing construction required straightforward building techniques, the strategic arrangement of the five buildings and, above all, the offset yellow balconies create a visually dynamic and sophisticated effect that lends the entire complex a cheerful character. The apartments are situated at corners, allowing light from two cardinal directions. The balconies are positioned primarily at the building corners, providing privacy. By preserving the mature trees and positioning the buildings in relation to one another, maximum quality of outdoor space was achieved, realizing the guiding vision of "Living in the Forest."

www.gsai.de

Photography Credits:

Andreas Muhs
www.muhs.de

(Published in CUBE Berlin 02|20)