Brief New residential quarter integrating existing buildings
Added Value By arranging the buildings around a green central space, a communal recreational area is created which also has a positive impact on the microclimate.
Typology Residential, commercial, new build, refurbishment Construction volume GIV 45,498 m³, above ground: 28,909 m³, GFA 14,140 m², above ground: 9,140 m² Client THE URBANICS GmbH Architect kadawittfeldarchitektur Competition 1st prize 2024
Brief New residential quarter integrating existing buildings
Added Value By arranging the buildings around a green central space, a communal recreational area is created which also has a positive impact on the microclimate.
The neighbourhood, situated at the junction of commercial buildings, rows of houses and smaller-scale residential developments, opens out onto the surrounding area on all sides.
Existing buildings will be partially retained and integrated into the new neighbourhood in a way that preserves their character. By continuing to use these buildings, ‘gray energy’ is retained and CO2 emissions are reduced.
Schneiders Quartier, Salzburg | Austria On the former site of the traditional costume manufacturer ‘Schneiders’, a complex comprising three new buildings and the partially preserved existing building is taking shape. A defining feature is the front of the existing façade with its historic company lettering, which has been retained as a defining characteristic and gives the quarter a distinctive identity.
The new polygonal structures are grouped around a central, landscaped core, which serves as a communal recreational space whilst also allowing for flexible division of the site. Through a stepped height progression, the ensemble mediates between the large-scale commercial structures to the north and the more intimate residential development to the south. At the junction of Bessarabierstraße and Aribonenstraße, the urban space is enhanced by the deliberate setting back of a building: the street profile widens, creating space for high-quality urban greenery.
The neighbourhood is characterised by a varied open-space design. A diverse network of pathways ensures connectivity and links it to the surrounding district. The result is a vibrant, green neighbourhood with a high quality of life and a clear spatial identity, in which privately funded and subsidised housing are unpretentiously intertwined.
Existing building: The existing building, which defines the site’s identity, will be preserved as far as possible. The rubble from the parts of the structure that cannot be upgraded will be used for the under-planted areas and as backfill for the underground car park.
Scale: The four buildings blend into their surroundings thanks to their scale and take their cue from the neighbouring development.
Openness: By dividing the total volume across four buildings, a sheltered square is created at the centre, which is accessible to the neighbourhood via the surrounding streets and paths.
Building form: The height of the buildings is determined by the eaves heights and building lines of the neighbouring buildings.
At the junction of Bessarabierstraße and Aribonenstraße, where the development meets the industrial estate, a seven-storey tower marks the entrance to the neighbourhood and, with its varied façade design, defines the streetscape. By deliberately setting the building back, the street space is widened, creating room for high-quality urban greenery. Retail spaces, offices, a bistro, a bicycle repair shop and a toddler group on the ground and first floors help to bring the urban space to life.
The neighbouring existing building, parts of which have been preserved, is also being converted into commercial units and offices with industrial charm, with a loft apartment integrated into the top floor. A narrow extension with a timber façade extends the existing building, provides space for the new stairwells and incorporates the access to the underground car park.
The two southern, four-storey buildings, with their height and scale, form a transition to the neighbouring low-rise residential development. Set-backs on the upper storeys further structure the buildings and define their silhouettes. Across the entire neighbourhood, there is a mix of 85 privately funded and subsidised flats of varying sizes. Access is provided via Bessarabierstraße, which defines the street frontage, as well as via the communal courtyard. Two underground car park levels connect all the buildings subterraneously, enabling a car-free neighbourhood at ground level. The open space design by Rainer Schmidt Landscape Architects is inspired by the architectural language and ensures a maximum of greenery within the neighbourhood.
Private gardens, communal playgrounds and urban green spaces complement one another. Alongside the play areas, which are used by the toddler group as well as by local children, there are meeting places and sheltered quiet zones. This encourages social interaction and strengthens the sense of belonging within the neighbourhood. The planting scheme is based on ecological considerations, with a focus on biodiversity and environmental health: native plants support local insects and pollinators, whilst retention areas help to store rainwater.
The ground floor of the existing building will house commercial premises, whilst the north-eastern extension will feature a bistro and a toddler group, helping to revitalise the urban space along Bessarabierstraße.
The City of Salzburg is pursuing the goal of climate neutrality by 2040. The building’s energy concept reflects this objective and enables virtually CO2-neutral operation immediately upon completion. The technical concept combines high energy efficiency with minimal environmental impact whilst ensuring a high level of user comfort. All building services systems are designed to optimise life-cycle costs.
