Description

Occupying the corner of an open block edge development, the building consists of two parallel rows framing a shared courtyard. In the street side row, residential units for families extend through the entire height of the building, while two much smaller apartments for singles or couples are stacked on top of one another on the other side. The building’s section reveals its unique spatial organization: both rows are divided along their entire lengths and organized as split-levels. Within the same height as a conventional two-story building, up to seven different intermediate levels are arranged – each with very different ceiling heights from 1 to 4. m and with floor areas between 4. and 25 m., cut to size for various activities and uses. The implementation of offset levels instead of dividing walls provides a feeling of protective distance. Only the bedrooms in the middle are given additional translucent sliding elements. One single space flows openly throughout the units without completely dissolving the borders of the individual areas, enabling dense living in close proximity.

Type c is laid out over four levels for a family with one child. It begins with an extremely compactly arranged living area, whose different ceiling heights subtly zone the space. Located on the level above is a small bridge-like workspace with view below into the living room as well as to the child’s room a half-story above. At the top, another level provides space for the parent’s bed, which lies at almost the exact height of the child’s bunk. The ceiling here is so low that the small roof patio/loggia can only be reached by crawling out over the bed.

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Originally published in: Oliver Heckmann, Friederike Schneider with Eric Zapel (eds.), Floor Plan Manual Housing, fifth revised and expanded edition, Birkhäuser, 2018.