Subsidized Housing Development in Neu-Ulm
- Claudia Fuchs
A new urban quarter is under construction in the southeast of Neu-Ulm on a former military site. It is part of the model project "efficient construction - affordable housing" of the Supreme Bavarian Building Authority. Within a form resembling a double cross in plan, a longitudinal building volume features 40 social housing units, complemented by two lateral, intersecting building parts. The filigree volume responds to the surrounding heterogeneous context and the existing green space, emphasized by the airy balconies and the raised lateral building parts. The interior organisation allows orienting residential units toward two or three sides of the cross-shaped plan, resulting in ample opportunities for natural daylight and natural ventilation. The plan configuration enables creating flexible partitions with niches as "plus zones" that can be separated and used as independent rooms. This robust flexibility of use is supported by the reinforced concrete frame and lightweight partition walls. The facades consist of prefabricated cross laminated timber elements. Their interior surfaces remain exposed and form an appealing visual and tactile contrast to the concrete columns. At the same time the wood surfaces create a warm and comfortable atmosphere.
