STUDIO 5m plus

 

Affordable housing versus high levels of construction activity, the redensification of city centres versus increased demands for open spaces – and the discussion of these issues against the backdrop of climate change was the focus of the interdisciplinary students working on the 5m+ design project. The aim was to overcome the traditional divide between architecture and open space in order to develop holistic solutions. Munich’s inner-city Augustenstraße offered interesting conditions as a case study.

In the course of reconstruction following the end of the Second World War, the original building line was set back by 5 metres, with a few exceptions, to widen the street space. Today, the space gained at that time is hardly used; the street is disorderly, confusing and follows no design concept.

By returning the building line to its original alignment (up to 5 m), and by rethinking the street space and the open space concept, the students succeeded in developing concepts that not only provided urgently needed housing, but also offered added value for the public space and the common good, whilst contributing to solving the city’s ecological and social challenges.