Competition Sonthofen

SITUATION AND CONCEPT

The competition area is bordered to the north by the B308, to the west by a commercial area and to the south and east by residential development. The project deals with the question of how a quality redensification with the best possible density can look and function.

The position of the partly polygonal bodies and precisely placed openings open up wide, attractive views from the depths into the landscape and the Allgäu Alps. Clear communal outdoor spaces, rich perspectives, surprising spatial relationships, finely meshed entrances and a diverse range of flat types form the basis for a garden quarter worth living in.

In addition to the neighbourhood's supplementary development, which fits in well despite the higher density and offers high residential qualities, the upgrading of the neighbourhood through the new neighbourhood square with additional various offers for the neighbourhood is an important goal. The new buildings complete the neighbourhood into a loose structure of different courtyards or open courtyard sequences. The connection to the B308 federal road is marked by a denser development of higher, point-like structures. These typologies differ strongly from the otherwise predominant row development; they are reminiscent of the loss of the prominent high-rise slice and create a new strong entrance for the Goethequartier.

QUARTER, PLACES AND SPACES

The new face to the city develops into the Goethequartier through spatial sequences with different characters and uses. The connection to the B308 with the parking facility and the entrance to the TG is linked to the neighbourhood via spatial sequences and ends with a small-scale square with a neighbourhood house and playground in the south. The development takes place via gradations: the spaces become visibly less public and greener. The large tree-lined space in the centre can be used for weekly markets or larger events.

The northern structure serves as the entrance to the underground car park and can still be used for parking on the two upper floors. The upper floors could be used for studios or housing or a combination of both. We envisage forms of living here that make do with more public space. A boarding house is also a possible use. The 7-storey high point in the south of the square has more of an impact on the Goethe Quarter and therefore accommodates the Quartiershaus. On the upper floors, various concepts of living in all phases of life or other experimental forms of living, such as cluster living, can be realised.

The cross-section of Goethestraße will be significantly reduced and shifted to the north in order to leave more space for redensification in the south. Via the neighbourhood square, traffic slows down into a traffic-calmed area. The new development along Goethestraße creates an exciting spatial sequence via bends and vistas to the south towards the Alps.

The south type resembles the soundproof building types in the north like a big sister. At the same time, however, it is more striking due to a 5-storey section; a figure that is both row and point. The buildings close off the southern courtyard to Goethestraße and act spatially across the street as a counterpart for the northern courtyard. Goethestraße becomes part of the new courtyard structure thus created. A quiet green but lively neighbourhood is created - the contrasts of purely functional traffic space and attractive open space are resolved. The street becomes part of the new open space system with a high quality of stay.

TYPOLOGY AND HOUSING

We have developed two types, a soundproof development to the north and a big sister to the south. Both types are related but not identical. The modules adapt to the context by means of a hinge-like element and thus by means of different locations. Through their slight polygonality, the new buildings take up the different directions of the context. In most cases, these articulated elements are balcony elements that are attached to the existing building: sometimes as a balcony for the existing building, sometimes for the new building. In this way, the new types become part of the existing buildings without interfering with the fabric of the building. The joint absorbs different orientations of the existing buildings and the type can then always be added as an identical module. With this simple trick, the Goethequartier becomes a designed spatial structure and not merely a building exhibition of optimised modules.

Both types are oriented on several sides via slight bends or offsets and thus offer good lighting and a very high quality of living. The private open spaces are of particular importance - also to shape the character of the neighbourhood. Large projecting arbours and balconies define the private open spaces, which have been developed from the architecture and are part of the houses. Arbour living in a communal courtyard characterises the neighbourhood.

The northern type A is accessed via an arcade, which also serves as sound insulation. Two staircases with lifts provide very efficient access to the four houses. A stairwell is arranged in the centre of each building, which also serves to rhythmise the northern view as a closed element. The long view thus experiences different sections and breaks. Here, there are mainly two-room flats. The kitchen and the entrance are oriented towards the pergola; to the south is a living room and an individual room. The existing building is upgraded with a new balcony, which also closes off the soundproofing. The development is 3-storey and blends in pleasantly. The houses are therefore uncomplicated to save and can just as easily be erected as timber hybrid buildings.

The southern type B is also attached to the existing building via an articulated balcony element. The 3-storey part builds on, while the 5-storey structure occupies the space and marks the new Goethestraße and the flowing space. A staircase opens up three large flats in the north that face south. They are generous floorboard types that offer interlocking living and dining spaces. The large flats have versatile orientations and a high quality of living with views of the mountains.

MARTERIALITY AND CONSTRUCTION

The buildings are planned in timber hybrid construction, with ceilings made of cross-laminated timber with bonded split fill on top, solid staircase cores and prefabricated reinforced concrete balcony racks. The exterior walls in timber stud construction are prefabricated including the windows and façade cladding. The rear-ventilated façade consists of colour-glazed larch boarding on a substructure. Thanks to the high degree of prefabrication, the buildings can be erected in a very short time.

The supports of the balcony shelves are glazed in colour, their light balustrades made of lattice wire and coloured shutters give the project a very simple but decorative façade. The same elements are found on the pergola. Each house is given its own colour tone in the background, which is oriented towards the existing building. Special accents are set by colour-contrasting surfaces and the coloured sun protection. Affordable jewellery.