"Mittlere Braike"
Unterensingen

Project description

Several consortiums of developers and architects were invited to submit concepts for the new "Mittlere Braike" residential area in Unterensingen. PLAN FORWARD GmbH also applied with its partner as the developer. The concept was awarded 3rd prize.

Briefing

The large housing-demand of the municipality of Unterensingen is to be met in the "Mittlere Braike" area. With an area of approx. 3.3 ha, the area is conveniently located close to the town center as well as to the extensive local recreation areas. The project therefore offers favorable conditions for a social mix of residents.

74 1-4 room apartments ranging in size from 30 to 80 m² are to be built. 20 percent of these will be socially subsidized. The ground floor will be partially open to the public with a centrally accessible underground car park.

An innovative energy concept with the greatest possible self-sufficiency in terms of heat and electrical energy was to be developed. The construction of the buildings also has to be sustainable and as energy-, resource- and environmentally-friendly as possible.

The PLAN FORWARD-Concept 

The architectural concept pursues the goal of modularity with a flexible distribution and adaptability of the apartment sizes at any time. It is also possible to adapt these to new needs and changing requirements at a later point in time. Four floor plan typologies were developed for this purpose, which are arranged around a central access. 

The access areas are indented from the front edge of the façade. The cross-district façade design is to be made visible through uniform design elements. The targeted planting of evergreen, ground-based façade greenery creates further diversity.

"The overarching design idea (solid construction, clinker brick slips, rendered façade with a clearly structured façade) creates a neighborhood with its own character," praised the jury in its assessment.

All residential units are barrier-free. The apartments can be individually designed floor by floor (within the four floor plan types). To ensure a social mix, privately financed and socially subsidized apartments are combined. 

In order to achieve the highest possible level of energy self-sufficiency, renewable energy generation close to the building is planned. A system of PV modules and air heat pumps will be installed on the extensively greened roof areas. In terms of heating requirements, the concept relies on a compact design, good thermal insulation of the buildings and the targeted use of highly thermally insulated window elements. 

The proposed energy concept is expressly welcomed in the jury's assessment.