Description

”It had not been like that since Halen: in the Schlosspark we could finally do as we pleased again…“ (Atelier 5). The Atelier 5 architects‘ co-operative made its name in the 1960s with the spectacular and exemplary ’Halen‘ housing estate project. Despite further housing estate projects, they had not succeeded in working freely on such a large scale and with similar social and architectural commitment. Even though there is a fairly dense detached house structure here in Boll-Sinneringen, the architects were able to persuade the community in favour of their high-density development project. This meant that the last almost untouched areas of nature and the neighbouring park of an 18th century palace could be retained.

65 houses and apartments and seven studios were fitted into a site area of 14,000 m². The sloping site made it possible to stagger the units, parcelled between dividing walls, so that there were views of the Alps from all the main living areas. All the units are accessed along a single axis, a communicating alleyway with public life taking place in it. Steps led from this to the houses and apartments, which extend over several levels, some with air spaces, but above all with large roof terraces at the front. In the centre are sufficient roofed parking spaces, with a square where people can gather above them, and the studio buildings. With their concept of a housing estate structure based on very similar units almost crowding together, the architects are reminding us of historical development structures in which aspects like protection and communication between neighbours were vital.

This community idea within a manageable but constantly growing large unit is applied to today’s circumstances. This ’village‘ is intended to seem entirely protective, but above all to stimulate a high level of communication. The practice’s wish to emphasize community rather than the occupants’ individuality is consistently reflected in this project, as for example in the homogenous white cement, exposed concrete structure and in the way that all façades are treated equally, illustrating no social differences to the outside world.

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Originally published in: Klaus-Peter Gast, Living Plans: New Concepts for Advanced Housing, Birkhäuser, 2005.