These three retail buildings had gathered dust for years. Scattered across a 1970s housing estate and varying in size, the small shopping centre had fallen into disrepair, its appeal long faded. Rather than demolish and rebuild, Düsseldorf-based aig+ Architekten chose a more thoughtful path: by reimagining the buildings' purpose and adding storeys, they transformed the existing complex into a vibrant residential community of twelve homes—complete with balconies, terraces, and welcoming shared outdoor spaces.

A new central staircase and lift tower now connects the ground and upper floors, creating efficient circulation paths to the differently oriented apartments. Beyond its functional purpose, this vertical spine establishes an inviting, visually coherent atmosphere that enhances the entire neighborhood. The basement has been similarly reorganized and integrated into this central hub. Both the additional floor and the ground-floor load-bearing walls employ sustainable timber frame construction—a prefabricated system that ensures efficiency while fostering a naturally comfortable interior climate. Externally, a uniform insulated plaster façade wraps the structure, with the ground floor distinguished by a darker grey tone that anchors the design. Floor-to-ceiling French windows dominate, paired with cohesive metal balcony railings throughout. The twelve units—comprising 2-, 3-, and 4-room configurations totaling approximately 900 m²—each feature balconies and terraces as distinct outdoor extensions, cleanly separated from the street-side parking. The heating system combines gas-fired condensing boilers with a roof-mounted solar thermal installation for hot water, while individual fresh water stations in each unit prevent legionella formation and minimize heat loss.

www.aigplus.de

Photos:
Michael Reisch
www.michaelreisch.net

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 02|24)