Vertical Village

Transformation within the modernization of the city

The harbor of Eckernförde had been an actively used area by industry and fishery, but lost its function as time went by. The closeness to the town center and beach makes the location very attractive for both, businesses and living. An old parking garage at the edge of the harbor area strongly needed redevelopment and did not fit in the structures of the old town due to its trivial outside shape and massive dimensions.

By applying different measurements, the integration of the parking garage into the quarter with its vibrant diversity of living and business houses was achieved. The sideward extension of the building embraces city apartments and offices. A section of the parking garage was transformed into modern lofts, which are accessible through the roof of the parking garage. In addition, bungalows with view over the city and the bay were built at a partly added story. Digging out an additional level below the construction compensated for the dropped parking area. A power house of the public utility company was integrated into the building for the supply of the whole quarter.

Integration into the urban structure and the new quarter

The overall challenge was to design and construct totally different sections as a whole, while integrating the project into the modern quarter. In the case of the façade design, the aspiration was realized of making the various utilization recognizable from the outside, while still ensuring a homogenously view.

The parking areas are faced with perforated brickwork at the base section and open balustrades and colorful aluminum lamellae at the higher stories. This horizontal design is in dialogue with the vertically structured façades of the lofts. The lofts are individually designed with loggias, materials, and colors. The emergency stairway at the southern façade connects the parking garage and the bungalows through an enclosure made of expanded metal.

Creation of new residential areas within the old parking garage

The omnipresent parallel existence of living and parking as well as the integration of shaping construction elements of the parking garage in the overall 22 apartments enables an interesting design interplay. The two-storied lofts are built in former parking spaces and have southern terraces on the top levels as well as visually segregated carports. The on two stories located bungalows are accessible from the top level through garden paths with little front yards, sheds, and garden gates. These leads to an almost village living structure in the middle of the old parking garage.

The utilization of two former atriums inside the construction enabled the realization of the power house including a CHP unit and heat accumulators without claiming valuable extern areas. The digging of an underground level in direct neighborhood of the sea, required the implementation of new bored piles and an independent foundation. Elaborate concrete restorations had to be executed at the whole building including all technical elements.