Residential Building and Daycare Center Am Hainweg | CHRIST.CHRIST. Associated Architects

With the development of the 21 hectare “Hainweg Residential Area” in the Nordenstadt district of Wiesbaden, the state capital Wiesbaden is responding to the increasing housing requirements. A total of 650 residential units are to be built in one of the largest housing developments in the city. The new residential area is emerging on former agricultural land and is located to the west of the built-up Nordenstadt district of Wiesbaden.

A competitive procedure was advertised for the building for the day care centre in the south with 31 subsidised residential units, and was won by Christ.Christ.

The planned building fulfils its function as an edge of the square and as the southern border of the neighbourhood park. Due to its clear cubature and high-quality façade, it will form a point of identification in the urban planning and a clear counterpart to Hainplatz, which is located to the north.

On the garden side, the cubature breaks up into a tiered building and encompasses the courtyard and outdoor area. A clear separation between the public street space and the private inner courtyard is achieved.

The gradation of the structure guarantees an optimum exposure to natural light and a structural and spatial separation of the areas for the day care centre and for residential use. This improves sound insulation and privacy, which helps to optimise the mutual compatibility between the different areas.

The mix of uses of the building is reflected in the design by way of a differentiated façade structure. The outer façades of the building are covered with muted beige and brown facing strips. The base level is designed with soldier courses, and large openings that are distributed regularly across the façade give structure to the entrance and functional areas for the day care centre.

The upper floors have a classic stretcher bond and are divided up by recessed strips in the area of the windows and loggias. Folding shutters serve as a privacy screen and to provide protection against the sun and have an appealing effect on the façade as a moment of movement in the statics of the building.

The day care centre’s functional areas are highlighted by a uniform colour concept.

The courtyard façade has a plaster surface in a subdued white colour.

The outdoor play area for the children is located in the enclosed inner courtyard. A designed landscape with bushes, trees, watercourses and play equipment is created that stretches over the ramped roof of the underground car park.