Residential complex Urbanstraße 11 | Munich

Differentiated greening and simple, elegant materials create a surprising oasis inside the inhomogeneously built block.

Minimal diversity of materials ensures conciseness:

Horizontal and vertical wooden surfaces are repeated serially. Their recurrence gives the winding courtyard spaces a common identity, which also links to the previous use of the area as a timber store for a joinery. A strong frame, like a set box, offers space for individual appropriation of the areas and plant anarchy.

The finely differentiated interlocking of areas of different privacy offers a variety of users quality of life in a confined space and has promoted the emergence of a harmonious neighborhood community in a very short time.

Appreciation in the special award for living environmentGerman Landscape Architecture Award 2011

Jury verdict: A diverse range of apartments for families and other user groups was created in a very confined space. A fine balance between communally usable spaces and private areas, which merge into one another without hard boundaries, reinforces the overall atmosphere of a lively lightness.

The elegant interlocking between large areas (wooden benches and terraces) and the small courtyards is particularly emphasized. From the point of view of landscape architecture, the handling of plants is presented in a very differentiated and qualitative manner. Different perennial areas frame the wooden platforms and thus convey a cheerful ambience. A reduced choice of materials, simple lines and lush greenery make the project an inner-city oasis for its residents.