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Ludwigsburg inner-city densification development

The 'Half-Long Charles' successfully revitalised an urban brownfield site. The ensemble sits in perfect harmony with the Wilhelminian-style buildings surrounding it, whilst creating modern living and working spaces that redefine the neighbourhood.

  • Bathroom windows feature a perforated brick detail that cleverly blends into the surrounding facade whilst protecting residents' privacy, yet still allowing daylight in.

    Bathroom windows feature a perforated brick detail that cleverly blends into the surrounding facade whilst protecting residents' privacy, yet still allowing daylight in.

  • A view of the ensemble of three residential buildings in Ludwigsburg as part of an inner-city densification project

    A view of the ensemble of three residential buildings in Ludwigsburg as part of an inner-city densification project. Photo: Brigida González

  • Ludwigsburg inner-city densification development

    A view of the Half-long Charles building from street level, showing the plinth level in contrasting surface finish to the upper floors. Photo: Brigida González

  • Ludwigsburg inner-city densification development

    The sloping roofline of the upper two storeys of these buildings in Ludwigsburg takes inspiration from the nearby Wilhelminian-style buildings, but unlike traditional buildings there is no noticeable variation to the materials used. Photo: Brigida González

  • Drawing, Detail, Horizontal section through the façade opening with inclined window reveal

    Residential and office complex "Half long charles", Ludwigsburg, DE
    Drawing, Detail, Horizontal section through the façade opening with inclined window reveal

  • Ludwigsburg inner-city densification development

    The facade of the Half-long Charles buildings in Ludwigsburg feature interesting details such as a plinth that unifies the three separate towers, and a chamfered window edge detail. Photo: Brigida González

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Preview of Project [insights] PDF of Ludwigsburg inner-city densification project

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The in-depth Project [insights] PDF includes more details around the following topics:

  • Revitalisation of an urban brownfield site

  • A connecting plinth base

  • Aesthetic uniformity of storey & roof levels

  • Clay brick slip facade finish

  • Clever details for privacy

  • Energy and climate-friendly measures

Thomas Steimle

Steimle Architekten BDA

“At the base, we wanted a homogeneous material that visually carries the large openings into the urban space and mediates between public and private space.”

Thomas Steimle

  • Trio of residential & office buildings

    With the objective of inner-city densification, an ensemble of buildings was designed by Steimle Architects for a site near Ludwigsburg’s train station on Karlstrasse. The centrally located gap between the surrounding buildings and the adjoining unpleasant backyard with parking spaces has been transformed and upgraded into a redefining, identity-shaping place.

    Site diagram showing three buildings on a shared plinth within a dense urban context.
    Outline showing location of site and unifying plinth base
  • Outline showing location of site and unifying plinth base
    Outline showing location of site and unifying plinth base
    Aerial view of the urban environment.
    Aerial view showing the urban context. Photo: Brigida González

Meet the architect

Steimle Architekten BDA Gesellschaft von Architekten mbh

"...we find an area of wonderful potential in the city centre... Our aim was to maximise the potential, in other words to create really high quality living space here in the city centre, in a hybrid neighbourhood..."

Thomas Steimle, architect, Steimle Architekten

VIDEO: Inner-city densification – new build residential and office ensemble in downtown Ludwigsburg (18:41)

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18 valuable pages of project [insights] into the Ludwigsburg inner-city densification development! Learn everything - from design to construction, to comprehensive detailed solutions.

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[ark] magazine

The StoJournal for Architects

This story appeared in [ark] magazine No.68. The planning and execution trades are responsible for ensuring compliance with local standards and regulations, as well as realising and warranting of the architectural details and solutions included in this case study.

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