R E S I D E N T I A L C A T A L Y S T
Studio dwellings, Aachen North, Germany, 2015.
The working class district ‘Liebigstrasse’ is situated in Aachen North. The residential neighborhood has a high diversity of functions and is adjacent to a wide industrial area. There are some undeveloped sites, several former factory buildings and warehouses that are vacant. The street walls don’t form demarcations or route guidance and there is very little distinction between the sidewalk, the street, the square, greenery lawns, private or public land. All levels are merged into one undefined zone. As a result, many existing qualities, such as the theater and the church, are poorly visible.
The urban development aims to enhance the visibility of these existing qualities. This is achieved by creating a clear distinction between recreational areas and circulation zones. The positioning of the new housing blocks is used to define these zones. By strategically placing the building volume (longitudinal or transverse side) the mass forms a street wall or emphasizes the public places such as the square, the church or a communal workshop. The residents of the studio dwellings are allowed to use the communal workshop which is located in a vacant industrial hall at the end of the street. In the district-workshop craftsmen can work together with students and community residents experimenting, demonstrating, repairing and experiment. In addition to the collective workplace each dwelling has an individual work studio on the ground floor. This studio has a large display window. The housing blocks are constructed in a modular structure so every house can be customized to the needs of the resident.
C O N C E P T O F U R B A N P L A N N I N G
U R B A N I N T E R V E N T I O N overview
L O W E R E D T O W N S Q U A R E isometry
S I T E P L A N intervention location Liebigstrasse
S I T E P L A N town square
U S E R S C E N A R I O S town square Liebigstrasse
F L O O R P L A N S ground floor - first floor - second floor
M O D U L A R S T R U C T U R E building options
C R O S S S E C T I O N S urban development
C O N C E P T I D E A living & working
U S E O F U N U S E D S P A C E S craftsmanship workshops
A R T I S T I M P R E S S I O N craftsmanship workshops
