The Werden district in the south of Essen attracts residents with its picturesque old town and its direct location on the Ruhr and Lake Baldeney. With its loose residential development and the high recreational value offered by the green Ruhr valley, Werden is a sought-after residential address. Not far from the old town, in Tuchmachersteig, Gewobau has realized an exclusive new building in cooperation with the Essen architectural firm Heinrich Böll in a construction period of around 20 months.

The plot is characterized by a hillside location with height differences of up to ten meters. To ensure that all residents can enjoy the magnificent view of the Ruhr heights, the apartments are oriented towards the valley side. Böll Architekten have designed a modern building with two residential units per floor, making optimum use of the site. Thanks to the beautiful location and views, the large balconies and terraces are one of the highlights of the apartments, which measure between 112 and 161 m². On top of this, there is a staggered storey with large terraces extending over corners. The residential units are accessed via a centrally positioned staircase with elevator. The building is completely barrier-free. This applies to access to the building and the apartments as well as to balconies and terraces, making the residential units suitable for residents of all generations. The spacious floor plans and attractive wellness bathrooms immediately catch the eye. The fittings range from oak parquet flooring in warm tones in the living area to elegant gray tiles in the bathrooms, including underfloor heating. Thanks to innovative KNX technology, the sun protection and lighting can also be conveniently controlled via an app. Gewobau is also at the cutting edge when it comes to environmental aspects: There is a solar thermal system on the flat roof, which provides the energy supply in combination with gas condensing boiler technology with central water heating. The underground car park has parking spaces with prepared charging stations for electric cars, and e-bikes can be charged directly in the bicycle rooms in the basement.

The quarry stone wall that frames the property towards the street is rather unusual for new construction projects, but is an expression of great appreciation of the existing building fabric that creates a sense of identity. It was removed for the construction work and rebuilt by an Essen-based gardening company using traditional craftsmanship. Together with the modern architecture of the house, this creates an exciting interplay. A look into the garden reveals a terraced structure that is oriented towards the topography of the terrain, offers play areas for small children and invites you to linger with seating.   

www.gewobau.de
www.architekt-boell.de

Photos:

Simon Bierwald, Indeed Photography
www.indeedphotography.com

(Published in CUBE Ruhr Area 02|21)