Inner city housing in reconstructed old town structure
(Brandenburg)
Source: Büro Schweizer, Berlin
The historic town centre of Finsterwalde (pop. 18.900) is characterized by an urgent need of restoration, empty buildings and numerous derelict sites. The historic centre has been a dedicated development area since 1999 and is one of six Brandenburg state model projects for sustainable housing development. The model projects were selected by determining a so-called „sustainability index" (Nachhaltingkeitsindex - NAX) comparing the expense and effectiveness of required and planned measures as part of a wider “Cost/Benefit Analysis of Structural Engineering Measures for Sustainable Housing Development”. This meant that the funding was linked to measurable sustainability criteria.
Source: Büro Schweizer, Berlin
The inner city building block reconstructed in Finsterwalde combines urban development aspects with a consideration of architectural history. 16 two- and three-storey buildings featuring low energy standard roof finishes were constructed in keeping with the original uniform eaves level architecture, and two listed objects dating from around 1700 were redeveloped. All in all, 69 favourably-priced rented apartments and three business units were created. To enhance the residential qualities, typical inner city intrusions on a ground level were avoided by raising the ground floors or, respectively, designing the apartments in a maisonette style. The connection to the district heating supply and solar-powered water heating helped reduce operating costs.
In the block interior, the intensively landscaped residential courtyard created features tenant gardens as well as seating and playground areas along a sinuous Gabion-wall (wire baskets filled with natural stone) into which the side and store rooms were integrated. The parking spaces required for the apartments and business operations were installed in a nearby central parking facility so that the courtyard could be kept car-free. This way, a high-quality free space was created for the apartments, notwithstanding the inner city location and the very dense development required from an urban planning perspective.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| Since 1998 | Conception of the construction project |
| 1999 | Cost/benefit analysis carried out by “Wuppertal-Institut” and "gibbins european architects", calculation of a sustainability index (NAX) |
| 1999 | Acceptance as a pilot project in the “State Programme for Sustainable Housing Development” (Landesprogramm zum nachhaltigen Wohnungsbau) |
| Since 1999 | Execution planning by the architects “Architektur- und Planungsbüro Schweizer”, Berlin |
| 2001 to 2002 | Realization of construction and redevelopment measures |
Source: Büro Schweizer, Berlin
Source: Büro Schweizer, Berlin
Awarded the 2001 Brandenburg Builder-Owner Prize and the 2002 German Builder-Owner Prize
Source: Büro Schweizer, Berlin
The interior development measure created a housing environment that is very attractive in terms of quality, structural engineering and cost. A successful combination of stock renewal and requirements-driven new construction resulted in the creation of an harmoniously integrated inner city quarter that enhances the townscape. The sustainability index (NAX) underlying the state funding is an exemplary assessment tool for sustainable construction.
The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 03238 - town: Finsterwalde - street: Grabenstraße 5.
Record inserted on 01.02.2004 by Lehrstuhl für Planungstheorie und Stadtplanung, RWTH Aachen and updated by theFederal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) within the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR).
Last update: 16.02.2011
