Oberer Schaltengarten Neuendettelsau

Design Concept:​ Harmonious Integration of Block Structure and Nature
Objective

This project aims to create an innovative neighborhood that merges urban density with the quality of surrounding natural spaces. A key focus is the establishment of a car-free community, supported by modern mobility solutions and centralized infrastructure.
Block Structure and Development
The urban design is based on a block structure inspired by the existing neighborhood. This ensures a clear and organized development that integrates seamlessly into the city's existing layout. The block structure allows for efficient land use and provides space for communal facilities and residential buildings. Additionally, the green spaces and cycling paths are integrated into the surrounding green areas and settlement structures, ensuring a seamless connection within and beyond the neighborhood. Slight rotations in the basic structure lead to an energy-optimized orientation of the buildings, reducing their energy demand.

Transition to Nature

A distinctive feature of the neighborhood is the gradual transition of the built environment towards the adjacent forest. While the dense block structure defines the central area, the development opens up towards the forest, creating fluid transitions between urban space and nature. A green belt surrounds the neighborhood, connecting additional natural habitats and integrating the noise barrier along the railway line in a synergistic manner.
One of the main objectives of the open space plan is to establish a natural "sponge city." A crucial element in achieving this is the network of axes and gaps between buildings. By using alternating substrate layers, tree rows, and green trenches, rainwater is efficiently stored and redirected. These axes channel the collected water into a retention pond at the southern edge of the neighborhood. Additionally, filtration layers are incorporated into the vertical soil structure within the block's open spaces, allowing for groundwater recharge.

Sustainability Concept:​ Modular Construction with TRIQBRIQ Wooden Blocks

A key feature of the sustainability concept is the use of TRIQBRIQ modular wooden blocks. Made from sustainably sourced wood, these blocks store several tons of CO2 per building, significantly reducing the ecological footprint of the development. The modular construction method also offers high flexibility, as the stored energy in the buildings can be transferred to other construction projects through simple dismantling. At the end of their lifecycle, TRIQBRIQ blocks can be used in combined heat and power plants to recycle stored energy into heat and electricity. By utilizing simple construction techniques and efficient, compact typologies, the construction costs of planned buildings can be significantly reduced.

Central Infrastructure and Car-Free Community

A central access road serves as the main axis of the neighborhood. Along this axis are key facilities such as a daycare center and a mobility hub. The mobility hub is built using a modular wooden construction system that provides high flexibility and adaptability. This modular approach allows the building to be converted into a marketplace or a community center if needed. The mobility hub can also serve as office space or be entirely dismantled if required. This multifunctionality contributes to the long-term sustainability and adaptability of the neighborhood.
The mobility hub serves as a focal point for various eco-friendly mobility options, such as car-sharing, bike rentals, and public transport. This strategic placement facilitates access to sustainable mobility solutions, reducing dependence on private cars. The car-free community thus promotes an environmentally friendly and community-oriented living environment.

Energy Supply and Self-Sufficiency

To ensure energy supply and minimize emissions, the neighborhood will feature an advanced combined heat and power (CHP) plant. This innovative CHP plant will utilize biogas and residual wood from the adjacent forest, particularly damaged wood, to generate energy. This system will be complemented by extensive photovoltaic installations covering 75% of the neighborhood’s rooftops. The combination of solar and bioenergy allows the neighborhood to achieve complete energy self-sufficiency. The CHP plant not only provides heat but also generates electricity, ensuring an efficient and sustainable energy supply. The integration of these systems plays a crucial role in reducing CO2 emissions and promoting renewable energy.

Community, Healthy Living, and Lifelong Learning

The neighborhood planning aims to address modern societal challenges through creative structures. Open spaces between the blocks and connecting neighborhood terraces foster social interaction and sustainable exchange. These spaces are designed for diverse uses and planned with long-term adaptability in mind.

This concept harmonizes urban density and natural open spaces into a cohesive whole. Through the gradual transition of buildings towards the forest, central infrastructure, and innovative energy solutions, a pioneering sustainable neighborhood emerges—one that can serve as a model for innovative urban planning.
 

A pioneering neighborhood where urban density and nature exist in seamless harmony, this project redefines sustainable living. Structured around a modular block system, the development gradually dissolves into the adjacent forest, creating a fluid transition between city and wilderness. Between the blocks, communal terraces and open spaces foster interaction, creativity, and lifelong learning, adapting over time to meet residents' needs, thanks to its simple modular construction. A green belt in the south-east enhances biodiversity while integrating natural noise barriers along the railway. More than just a neighborhood, this is a blueprint for the future of urban living—efficient, flexible, and deeply connected to its environment.
Designed as a car-free community, mobility revolves around a central hub offering car-sharing, bike rentals, and public transport. This adaptable space can transform into a marketplace, community center, or office, ensuring long-term flexibility. Sustainability is embedded in every aspect, from water management—where a sponge city concept channels rainwater into retention ponds and groundwater—to construction methods that utilize TRIQBRIQ modular wooden blocks, locking in CO2 and allowing for easy reuse. Energy self-sufficiency is achieved through a combined heat and power plant fueled by biogas and residual wood, paired with photovoltaic panels covering 75% of rooftops. This dual system ensures a renewable energy cycle, drastically cutting emissions.

Sustainability Concept:​ Modular Construction with TRIQBRIQ Wooden Blocks

A key feature of the sustainability concept is the use of TRIQBRIQ modular wooden blocks. Made from sustainably sourced wood, these blocks store several tons of CO2 per building, significantly reducing the ecological footprint of the development. The modular construction method also offers high flexibility, as the stored energy in the buildings can be transferred to other construction projects through simple dismantling. At the end of their lifecycle, TRIQBRIQ blocks can be used in combined heat and power plants to recycle stored energy into heat and electricity. By utilizing simple construction techniques and efficient, compact typologies, the construction costs of planned buildings can be significantly reduced.

Energy Supply and Self-Sufficiency

To ensure energy supply and minimize emissions, the neighborhood will feature an advanced combined heat and power (CHP) plant. This innovative CHP plant will utilize biogas and residual wood from the adjacent forest, particularly damaged wood, to generate energy. This system will be complemented by extensive photovoltaic installations covering 75% of the neighborhood’s rooftops. The combination of solar and bioenergy allows the neighborhood to achieve complete energy self-sufficiency. The CHP plant not only provides heat but also generates electricity, ensuring an efficient and sustainable energy supply. The integration of these systems plays a crucial role in reducing CO2 emissions and promoting renewable energy.