The project is located in the emerging district of Freiham – a multifunctional development on the western outskirts of Munich. The character of the quarter is defined by a thoughtfully interwoven network of public infrastructures including parks, schools, sports facilities, and civic amenities, all connected via an integrated system of vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian routes. The building ensemble, composed of four volumes with a shared underground garage, is situated along Aubinger Allee – the primary arterial road of the district.
In accordance with the district’s unified development plan, the built structure is arranged along the perimeter of the plot. At its heart lies a generous green courtyard featuring a children’s playground, tall trees, and a subterranean rainwater reservoir. The buildings to the west face the vibrant boulevard, while those to the east open towards a quieter internal bike street. This spatial configuration results in a typology that cascades from higher to lower volumes, establishing a distinctive urban silhouette while shaping tranquil, verdant spaces with a suburban atmosphere.
The four buildings accommodate a total of 93 residential units, offering approximately 6,900 m² of living space. Buildings A and B, located to the northwest and southeast, primarily contain two-, three-, and four-room apartments with a more urban character – each with a balcony oriented towards the calm interior courtyards. Buildings C and D, positioned to the south and northeast, are predominantly composed of three- and four-room apartments featuring large balconies and ground-floor gardens, designed for a lifestyle closer to nature. The ground floors of buildings A and B, facing Aubinger Allee, include retail spaces that activate the streetscape. All apartments are municipally subsidized by the City of Munich and meet the requirements for barrier-free living. As such, the floor plans emphasize clear, uninterrupted circulation paths and a typological consistency to optimize construction and functionality.
The façade concept reflects a deliberate pursuit of balance between urban functionality and the benefits of living close to nature. The four volumes share a unified architectural language in terms of structure and materials, while exhibiting variations in articulation and colour palette. Buildings A and B respond to the dynamic context of the main street with tall, monolithic plinths in concrete tones, finished with a variety of plaster techniques. The upper residential levels are clad in timber siding and punctuated with delicate cornices. Building C, with its distinct urban villa typology, is set back from the street line. Its character is accentuated by dark timber cladding, dynamically articulated balconies, and a pronounced horizontal rhythm created through alternating siding directions. Building D continues the architectural motif of articulated friezes and is distinguished by a concrete colonnade that both reflects the rhythm of the adjacent cycle street and responds to its human scale. This element serves three functions: vertical communication, entrance area, and a protective buffer along the lane.
The building’s structure consists of a reinforced concrete frame, with exterior walls made of prefabricated timber-frame wall panels. The cladding is constructed as a ventilated timber façade system.
In addition to the ground-level greenery and children’s playground, planting has also been integrated into the rooftops. The intensively greened, accessible roofs of both sections of Building D, featuring rest areas and planted surfaces, fully embody the open, communal nature of the building’s typology.
Client: MKE Munich Investment Location: Munich, Germany Year: 2020 – 2023 Services: Concept Design, Design of Development, Construction Documentation Size: 15.700 m² Cost: 23.400.000 € Team: Georgi Marhov, Yoana Migarova, Kalin Nikolov Partners: Harder Groh Architekten Visualisations: dpi studio