Preserving and supplementing in a building cooperative

Wohnungsgenossenschaft München West is deeply rooted in Munich's Westend, shaping this district with its buildings, small-scale shops and restaurants. To create additional urban living space, the ‘Gelber Block’ in the centre of Westend is set to be densified. The building, which is not as tall as the surrounding developments, was designed in the style of New Objectivity (built in 1927, by architects Eugen Dreisch, Emil Freymuth, Herbert Landauer) and currently comprises 169 residential units, primarily two-room flats. To ensure a diverse housing mix, there is a need for larger, family-friendly units with flexible layouts.

Taking “New Objectivity” to the next level

New lift shafts on the stairwells facing the courtyard enable barrier-free access to both the newly added storeys and the intermediate landings of the existing stairwell. The façade, open spaces, and circulation areas of the existing buildings are upgraded and balconies are added.
To achieve a continuous eaves height all around the block, two residential storeys extend along each of the three elongated buildings and an additional storey along the head building was added as part of the extension. A clear separation is created between the existing building and the extension by means of a space-creating cornice – a gesture often seen in the Westend.
The refurbishment of the existing building picks up on the theme of New Objectivity , while the extension forms a material counterpoint without abandoning the theme of the original construction period.
The original shop unit on the ground floor facing Georg-Freundorfer-Platz has been reopened.

Status quo

The prefabricated elements in timber construction allow the two additional storeys with 48 flats to be built quickly in Munich's Westend district. The first new flats are due to be occupied at the end of 2024.