HEIM

Development of a mixed-use neighborhood on a former industrial site

The site is located on the former industrial land of IBM Germany in Mainz-Weisenau district.
The project consists of creating a long-term sustainable urban development and spatial planning framework that allows for variance in the architectural expression of individual construction sites and construction phases.

The main objective is to design an urban structure and plan public spaces to generate a strong sense of identity. These components must be durable, flexible and of low maintenance.

Commercial and service buildings define the protective edge of the new residential district, forming community centres in the two large neighborhood parks. A central green axis serves as a backbone and a link between neighbouring residential areas and adjacent infrastructure facilities. Large pedestrian promenades connect the new quarter internally and to the surrounding public spaces. Car traffic is reduced to two ring roads. Residential courtyards are differentiated from public circulation routes, by having internal private gardens. The raised open spaces along the promenades provide residents with protected gardens as well as meeting and communication areas. A chain of solitary buildings is carefully integrated into the existing green space of the Brezenheimer road.

1st Prize of the International Competition (2015)