new block-sized development in stuttgart.
what do you see?
what do you see?
alright.
2 things.
1. i was going to do a thread on this development, compared to the US - and why we could not replicate that here...
i totally did not see the thing. incredible.
2. this *is* 'density done nicely' (h/t @edjegasothy)
twitter remains undefeated.
2 things.
1. i was going to do a thread on this development, compared to the US - and why we could not replicate that here...
i totally did not see the thing. incredible.
2. this *is* 'density done nicely' (h/t @edjegasothy)
twitter remains undefeated.
this is the olga areal in stuttgart. it's a pretty big block, the area bounded by the buildings is roughly 310' x 410'
the buildings themselves are only about 12m (40') thick.
this is incredibly thin by US standards. we routinely hit twice that on new buildings in seattle
the buildings themselves are only about 12m (40') thick.
this is incredibly thin by US standards. we routinely hit twice that on new buildings in seattle
these are both new 4-6 story developments.
what are contrasts between olga areal (l) v. seattle (r)?
building thickness?
open space?
lot coverage?
what about things that aren't visible?
affordability?
unit mix?
social & economic mix?
what are contrasts between olga areal (l) v. seattle (r)?
building thickness?
open space?
lot coverage?
what about things that aren't visible?
affordability?
unit mix?
social & economic mix?
the areal is made up of 4 different baufelder (building areas) consisting of a pretty wide swath of building types.
you have social housing, upper middle class housing (baugemeinschaften - self-developed urban housing), and investor (market rate) housing.
you have social housing, upper middle class housing (baugemeinschaften - self-developed urban housing), and investor (market rate) housing.
the red numbers are lot coverage of the individual buildings - ranges from 35% to 63%.
and yes. buildings. plural. 13 total.
in seattle - this would be one developer, maybe two. but typ. approach is just one ginormous building.
and yes. buildings. plural. 13 total.
in seattle - this would be one developer, maybe two. but typ. approach is just one ginormous building.
the angle on left is 1 building. the ]-shaped building on right is another. there are 4 in the middle, including two that are joined but freestanding.
if these buildings were all as thick as we see in seattle, there would be almost no open space - and if you scroll back up - you might notice that the seattle projects have almost no open space.
tiny courtyards.
tiny courtyards.
the thing that allows these buildings to be thin?
they're all point access blocks. single stair buildings. common the world over, outside of the US and canada.
more on PABs here: larchlab.com/point-access-b…
they're all point access blocks. single stair buildings. common the world over, outside of the US and canada.
more on PABs here: larchlab.com/point-access-b…
most of units are 'durchwohnen' - through running w/ daylight on multiple sides. the ability to cross ventilate.
this typology also allows for a larger diversity in unit types. these have units from 1-4 bedrooms in them.
similar to this.
this typology also allows for a larger diversity in unit types. these have units from 1-4 bedrooms in them.
similar to this.
there's quite a bit of diversity in unit types and sizes in the olga areal. flats. maisonettes.
there is more economic and social mixing than you would typically find in seattle dev as well
and all those smaller buildings?
they make for a much better walking environment
there is more economic and social mixing than you would typically find in seattle dev as well
and all those smaller buildings?
they make for a much better walking environment
our land use codes pack in nearly twice the FAR (buildable area) as most european cities for low and mid-rise.
and our US building codes don't allow point access blocks...
the result? massive buildings w/ a corridor down the middle of the building, with units on either side.
and our US building codes don't allow point access blocks...
the result? massive buildings w/ a corridor down the middle of the building, with units on either side.
in US development - there's little unit diversity, as our regulations result in a system that effectively mandates lots of small units, instead of inducing larger ones.
there's typically not much economic diversity, either - at least not at the level and scale of olga areal
there's typically not much economic diversity, either - at least not at the level and scale of olga areal
i expand on this quite a bit in my thread that came out after the recent new york times piece on why massive buildings in the US all look the same:
https://twitter.com/holz_bau/status/1616479722711678978?s=20
this diversity in building types allows for a lot more creativity on the design side as well (and more work for more firms, too)
the utilization of baugruppen in this project is also great. there is even a stunning mass timber project (maxacht) - set to the interior of the dev.
the utilization of baugruppen in this project is also great. there is even a stunning mass timber project (maxacht) - set to the interior of the dev.
the architect of that project is architekturagentur.
it's a great little project.
architekturagentur.de/geplant-gebaut…
it's a great little project.
architekturagentur.de/geplant-gebaut…
these buildings are also better able to withstand effects of a warming climate. they have active solar protection. they've got the ability to cross ventilate.
the block itself is semi-permeable - allowing better airflow than a closed block w/ small courtyard would allow...
the block itself is semi-permeable - allowing better airflow than a closed block w/ small courtyard would allow...
the project includes daycare, community spaces, shops/cafe spaces. grocery store...
and just look at how massive these courtyards are.
you could not replicate this development anywhere in the U.S.
and just look at how massive these courtyards are.
you could not replicate this development anywhere in the U.S.
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