Competition WA3 in the Paul-Gerhardt Allee neighbourhood

The courtyard of WA 3 is characterised by its elongated form, in the west there is a very urban side with the development opposite, in the east the spectacular view into the park, in the southwest the development is located on the internal neighbourhood square. The alternation between high points and 4-storey courtyard buildings makes the high points appear as individual houses in the ensemble. The low courtyard development recedes into the background. A slope at the transition clearly marks the high points outwards into the urban space. The four outer corners of the courtyard are at right angles; despite the more recognisable individual houses, the courtyard remains a self-contained ensemble.

The courtyard development recedes from the building boundary at defined points in order to zone and profile the space, but also to widen rooms and improve lighting. In the northwest, the high point forms a forecourt due to its position in the urban space and its concise slope. This creates a clear reference to the square space from the original urban design.

The principle of the courtyard development is: the strong contrast between the public exterior of the neighbourhood and the private interior of the courtyard. This leads to a consistent development of the buildings from the outside. If possible, the living situation benefits from both qualities - people live on both sides (interspersed types). The surrounding 4-storey layer of balconies makes the courtyard a unit on the inside.

The basic typological structure is formed by a clearly recognisable middle layer consisting of the development cores and sanitary rooms and two outer layers for living. This allows for greater building depth and better utilisation as well as interesting, different typologies.

The buildings are planned as rendered masonry structures. The four-storey development is divided by horizontal façade bands, which accommodate different window formats and loggias. Here, no floor-to-ceiling glazing is planned on the outside; in the courtyard, however, generous floor-to-ceiling glazing is provided. The colour contrast of the ribbon façades is less pronounced; the façade subtly plays with depths while radiating calm. The plinth extends into the entrances, which are set back to thematise the transition from the public space via various threshold states.

The high points are given a vertical structure. They are clearly more contrasting in design. Some of the parapets are specially designed using handcrafted prefabricated elements. The contrasting high point on the square provides for a public base storey and a discreet differentiation of the last two upper storeys, thus creating a classical division into base, middle and attic. The exterior façades differ from the courtyard façades, a logical consequence of the described difference between exterior and interior. The design in the courtyard relates more to the open space. The continuous balconies step into the courtyard like arbours and make the architecture more airy. The supports have an elegant form and accommodate the sunshade and a net-like light railing.... The terraces on the ground floor are separated from the common space by a step to the courtyard and hedges.