"Gruene Mitte"
Essen

Architectural Competition for the Urban development "gruene Mitte" in Essen

  • Design:WOLFF GRUPPE GmbH
  • GFA:17,876 m²
  • Services:Architectural competition, General planning, HOAI LPH 2 - 3
  • Period:Q1/2012 - Q2/2012
  • Aw. Authority:Versorgungswerk of Architektenkammer NRW, Düsseldorf

Project description

The new quarter "Gruene Mitte" Essen was to be built on the site of the former freight station between Essen's city center and the university.

In the design concept of WOLFF GRUPPE an elongated, slightly curved structure, together with the adjacent building, closes off the street space to the north. Between the future, closed perimeter development in the west and the angular neighboring building in the east, a generous open space is created, which is bordered to the south by three solitary structures.

The open construction method is oriented towards the large landscape of the "Grüne Mitte". By staggering the individual buildings in relation to each other, the inner green area is structured into an exciting spatial sequence. The placement of the structures allows for unobstructed views and optimal lighting for all apartments, both in the residential block as well as in the solitaires.

The required distance areas to the west and east are accessible to the public as pathways. Within the property, terraces cover the height difference of 85 centimeters caused by the underground parking garage. The first floor of the residential block is designed as a parterre. The solitaires are located on the lower level, which prevents the first floor apartments from being directly opposite each other.

Trees along the terraced lawns give the outdoor space its character through their blossoms and autumn colors. Beech hedges create atmospheric private garden spaces within the semi-public outdoor space.

WOLFF GRUPPE GmbH merges PLAN FORWARD GmbH, W+P Gesellschaft für Projektrealisierung mbH, and ARIQQA GmbH into a single legal entity under its umbrella, in accordance with Sections 2 and 20 of the German Transformation Act (Umwandlungsgesetz – UmwG). The business activities of the previously independent companies are fully continued within WOLFF GRUPPE GmbH under the business divisions PLANNING, MANAGING and CONSULTING.