Metzgergrün Quarter, Freiburg (DE)
New building,
Subsidised housing ,
Neighbourhood Development,
Timber construction
Client: Freiburger Stadtbau GmbH
Location: D-79114 Freiburg-Stühlinger, Im Metzgergrün, Bissierstraße
Architecture: Dietrich Untertrifaller with Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl
Competition: 2017, 1. prize
Construction: from 2024
Area: 38,000 m²
Programme: approx. 550 apartments
Visualisation: Expressiv, Vienna
Team
Lena Baumeister, Suzanne Bentlage, Vera Bilgeri, Anke Blumenstein, Laura Böhmer, Anna-Maria Brendel, Brian Centrone, Anna Hasenfuß, Vanessa Jackimova, Nikolas Krins, Soojeong Kwon, Katharina Mair, Bárbara Miranda, Björn Osmann (Team management), Christian Porath, Günther Prechter, Michael Sohm, Heiner Walker, Ilka Widmann, Jana Wörn, Alissa Wolff
Text: Gerlinde Jüttner
Exemplary and forward-looking neighbourhood
The Metzgergrün quarter is set to change significantly and develop into a contemporary neighbourhood without losing its original character. A modern residential neighbourhood with around 550 new flats and generous green spaces will replace the 27 ageing terraced buildings from the 1950s. Quiet inner courtyards, a lively public centre, high-quality and differentiated open spaces and a new network of paths create an exemplary and forward-looking neighbourhood.
Our design organises the flats into six blocks that form manageable neighbourhoods. Each block combines three- to four-storey terraced buildings and point houses around a green inner courtyard. Along the road and railway line, an L-shaped, elongated block shields the development. The first measure was to relocate the northern Runzgewässer, which now meanders through the middle of the neighborhood. The widened banks invite people to linger and play. This means that residents can experience the high quality of living and open spaces in their new homes as soon as they move into the first completed buildings.

Massive terraced buildings and timber tower blocks
The terraced buildings consist of individual houses arranged in rows. In order to increase the residents' identification with their homes, the façades of each of these houses are individually designed using different materials such as plaster, clinker brick, wood, etc. The point houses are made of wood, the terraced buildings are built in solid construction.

Subsidised, privately financed and owner-occupied flats are distributed evenly across all blocks and ensure an intensive social mix. At the centre of the neighbourhood is a public square with a kindergarten and shops. A sports field on the edge integrates the new quarter with the neighbourhood and is a meeting point for all residents.

The Metzgergrün quarter already impresses with its high proportion of greenery. Situated between two allotment sites to the north-east and west, it will continue to play an important role as an ecological corridor. For this reason, the river Runze is to be brought to life by redirecting its streambed. Along the new course of the stream, there will be widenings for biotopes. This will give the neighbourhood a green centre with seating areas under trees for informal resting, meeting and socialising.
In 2022, the new Metzgergrün was one of the first projects in Germany to be awarded the DGNB Platinum district certification. We have fulfilled over 80 percent of the requirements for sustainable construction, with the focus on ecological and technical qualities. The combination of a holistic energy concept, comprehensive rainwater management and the mix of conventional construction, timber hybrid construction and modern timber construction were convincingly implemented.

Green Courtyards
Each building block has a semi-public, green courtyard at its centre, divided into terraces, tenant gardens and communal areas. Road users share the street space. Extensions provide space for street parties, weekly markets and meeting places. This creates close neighbourly relationships and a sense of community. The widened arcades offer additional meeting spaces for the residents.



