Subsidized housing does not necessarily have to have the label "cheap" attached to it - quite the opposite: an apartment building on the southern outskirts of Wesseling demonstrates how affordable housing and sophisticated design can form a symbiosis. Grützner Architekten from Cologne designed and realized two residential buildings opposite each other, whose clear architectural references also create a visual gateway to the new Eichholz-Keldenich residential area.

The blocks located on Urfelder Strasse each comprise two full storeys with a solid parapet, an upper staggered storey and a basement with underground parking. Both buildings make full use of the permitted building depth of 14 meters, but break it up on the courtyard and garden side on the upper floors with staggered terrace areas. The total of 33 residential units have a floor-to-ceiling glass front to the south-west. The adjoining terraces and loggias are generously proportioned and structurally separated from each other to create a high degree of private seclusion. The semi-public area in front of the terraces on the first floor is additionally protected from outside views by green garden areas. Cost-effectiveness and sustainable use of the buildings are ensured by a regular modular dimension, which particularly optimizes the supporting structure through to the underground car park planning. This enables a wide variation in apartment sizes, in particular the flexible division of larger residential units into smaller apartments. Barrier-free access on all storeys also enables wheelchair-accessible apartments, so that people with and without disabilities can live here under one roof. The two residential buildings also score points with their external façade design: surfaces in white window plaster alternate with oak formwork and create a dynamic façade interplay of open and only seemingly open window areas. As a natural material, the wood not only has a friendly effect on the surroundings - it also makes reference to the oak forest of the neighboring former Eichholz Castle. In terms of energy efficiency, both buildings meet the requirements of the KfW Efficiency House Standard, one of which meets the higher 55 standard. Heating and cooling are provided by district heating: a combined heat and power plant is available to the entire development area. The flat roof landscapes are extensively greened.

www.gruetzner-architekten.de

Photos:

Axel Hartmann
www.ah-fotografie.de

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 01|23)