Private and Shared Spaces
A vibrant urban quarter near the train station, anchored by a connecting ground floor and intimate, protected courtyards
Contemporary family living with privacy in the heart of the city – this was the brief for the mixed-use development near Ludwigsburg's railway station. Steimle Architekten responded with three polygonal tower buildings, designed in an open and nuanced architectural language. Their scale and height draw directly from the surrounding urban context. Strategically staggered, the structures frame two inviting, protected courtyards that anchor the neighborhood's character. These entrance courts do more than provide addresses – they're the face of the new quarter. They mark the threshold to residential life while strengthening the visual and functional connection to the adjoining street. Through thoughtful integration with the existing streetscape, the ensemble achieves visual permeability and optimal light and orientation for every residence.
The street-facing office and retail building serves as Strenger Holding's own business headquarters. Its solid form announces the arrival of the residential quarter, while a shared ground floor weaves it together with the two residential towers – both structurally and socially. This ground level becomes a gathering place for residents, a hub for community life. Above this connecting base, the terraces and gardens – both private and shared – create outdoor living spaces. The upper floors branch off from central, accessible cores that link to the underground parking. Eighteen apartments, ranging from one to four rooms, spread across the buildings with barrier-free access throughout. The top-floor terraces command sweeping city views, while upper-level balconies open onto the quiet, verdant courtyards below. The architects grounded the design in a distinctive material language: a refined yet striking clinker brick façade that weathers beautifully over time. The front building's pitched roof and measured window rhythm respectfully echo the historic streetscapes nearby. The result is urban cohesion achieved through both distinctiveness and shared design values.
Photography Credits:
Brigida González
www.brigidagonzalez.de
(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 04|22)