In the immediate city center of Essen's West End, 100 residential units have been developed. a + m architects engineers from Cologne designed a basement-level U-shaped building structure with a total of six stairwells and an underground parking garage for the client LEG NRW on approximately 5,000 m² of the former AEG Kanis site. This structure adjoins an office building, with both together forming a block with a large central courtyard.

To achieve urban harmony, the design references the surrounding architecture and the height of the office building. To break up the facade of the six linear, five-story building masses, they feature recessed sections at various levels, gallerias, and a staggered top floor. On the street side, the ground floor stands out with locally characteristic brown brick cladding against the white plastered upper stories, again referencing the surrounding neighborhood. The articulated building corners draw inspiration from classical precedents, such as the Krupp workers' housing developments of the 1910s and 1920s. The noise-protected central courtyard is accessible from all stairwells and offers residents high-quality outdoor space with plantings, seating, play areas, and a pétanque court. The northwest and southwest forecourts of the building ensemble, as well as the roof, are also planted. "We had to provide sound protection from commercial areas to the west and traffic noise from Frohnhauser Strasse. In some buildings, we achieved this through floor plans that orient living spaces toward the courtyard and through movable glass elements in the loggias of the corner units in building five," explains project manager Gabriele Bertram. The 100 one-and-a-half to four-room apartments range from 43 to 101 m² and feature vinyl-design flooring. Some are wheelchair accessible. The stairwells are finished with concrete pavers. The building is heated via district heating, and the extensively green roof is equipped with provisions for a photovoltaic system. The underground garage contains 78 car parking spaces, with an additional 17 located above ground. Bicycle and cargo bike parking spaces are located near the garage entrance.

www.am-architekten.de

Photos:
a + m architects

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 03|24)