In Untergiesing, nestled near the Isarauen, a striking seven-storey residential building rises toward the street, complemented by an L-shaped, two-storey volume at its rear. Connected via a central courtyard, this design transforms an awkward infill site—wedged between two turn-of-the-century homes—into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood. Schindhelm Moser Architects (now split into Schindhelm Architects and Olufemi Moser Architects) crafted a carefully considered building, refining its form, materiality, and relationship to light throughout intensive planning sessions. The result respects the area's hallmark 19th-century perimeter block typology while introducing contemporary refinement. The façade tells the story of meticulous craftsmanship: crisp white precast concrete panels dance with floor-to-ceiling windows framed by timber sliding shutters. Starting from the second level, each street-facing unit anchors its social space with a centered balcony. The front volume houses six generous apartments plus a penthouse—conceived as a full-height maisonette with sprawling roof terraces—all protected by elegant glass balustrades. Below grade, residents enjoy dedicated parking. A passage from the street guides you into the verdant courtyard, where an internal stairwell serves all units. The angular rear wing yields two townhouses, each crowned with private roof terraces. Inside, the language is one of restraint and longevity: raw concrete walls, seamless white screed floors, and expansive ground-floor windows that dissolve into courtyard sliding doors on warm days. Custom oak cabinetry punctuates the spaces, while a sculptural oak staircase—part furniture, part art—commands attention as a room's beating heart. Residents have secured something increasingly rare: proximity to Munich's pulse, doorstep access to the Isar and beloved Schyrenbad, and a thriving local scene of shops and restaurants.

www.schindhelmarchitekten.de

Photography Credits:

Andreas Hoernisch
www.andreashoernisch.com

(Published in CUBE Munich, Issue 01|22)