Competition for industrial area city of Calw

Preserving and repurposing the existing "landmark Kesselhaus" that characterizes the entrance to the city offer an additional residential use with its own Character. The place is used for catering opportunities and for different cultural events. In terms of sustainable urban development the concept idea is to reuse the industrial area because of it's important history for the city of Calw and the Black Forest region.

By raising the level of the site and abandoning the construction of underground garages, new systems of open retention areas are protecting the new apartments in events of heavy rain. The planned "Free space bands"will encourage water to go back in the direction of the "Nagold river". This is only possible in connection with roof greening and retention cisterns and as well with a proper canalisation.

Tree plantings in the public spaces create shade and cooling in the summer months and also retains rain water. In the new district there are different placed forms of housing. A differentiated apartment mixture with different user groups. Around the preserved boiler house "Nagoldplatz" there are commercial uses and as well gastronomic and cultural offers.

The transition from the old town center follows the desire for a mixture of different house types. In addition to housing for families apartments there're smaller apartments for couples and singles or seniors. For this multi generational complex there can be a property and as well a rental housing part.

Working with in the team for the competition showed how to tackle tasks comprehensively. Various concepts for the design of the flood basin are developed here. Gradually the process of designing takes shape.

A compact building structure combined with green flat roofs, forms the basis for an energetically optimised design and the economical use of solar energy is also in relation to electricity production. This means there should be a photovoltaic system. In this case, the individual house has a local connection for a more environmentally friendly heating. The power plant that uses wood chips is also ideal for generating heat. In addition, the buildings shells are highly thermally insulated.

The area connects different functions and offers attractive public and private spaces for recreation, games and communication. The neighborhood is connected by foot for a short distance to the nearby city center. Instead of car parking spaces there’s a e-sharing offer (scooters, cargo bikes, car sharing etc.) and a packstation on the ground floor for a well functioning "Mobility Hub".