Metzgergrün Quarter, Freiburg (DE)
New building, Affordable housing, Neighbourhood Development

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. 500 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 500 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.


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, the neighbourhood 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 isolated widenings for wetland biotopes. This will give the neighbourhood a green centre with seating areas under trees for informal resting, meeting and socialising.

Rainwater management is integrated on the surface and is a visible part of the multifunctional land use. In the event of heavy rainfall, the new terraced wetland biotopes integrated into the site along the course of the stream can be used to retain rainwater. The street area is drained via an open channel. The sunken football pitch is used for water retention during heavy rainfall.

The traffic concept keeps the inner area of the development largely car-free – parking is available in three collective garages on the edge of the neighbourhood. Condominiums are only located in the blocks with underground car parks below. To minimise through-traffic, all underground car parks are directly accessible from the neighbourhood's main access roads.

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 among the residents.

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