KWArtier. Not a typo, but a play on words. It stands for a new quarter in Karlsruhe for living and working and is a project of GIEAG Immobilien AG. Six renowned architectural firms entered the competition, which KRESINGS won.
If you look at the surroundings, it becomes clear that the property is surrounded by heterogeneous architecture consisting of a new development area, the old town and buildings from the 1970s and 1980s. KRESINGS saw the difficulty of finding an architectural language that would do justice to both the surroundings and the task at hand as a challenge. On the one hand, the architects responded to the mix of eras and materials by incorporating the perimeter block structure of the surrounding area into their design and thus adapting to the large-scale proportions of Karlsruhe's Südstadt district. On the other hand, the façade is given a horizontal and vertical modulation and is designed in different colors. The result is a calm building form that asserts itself confidently in its surroundings. The projections and recesses create the impression of a row of house units, counteract the large scale of the apartment block and ensure a harmonious overall appearance in harmony with the surroundings.

The exterior design helps to maintain the classic hierarchy between public, semi-public and private spaces. On the one hand, the surrounding green zone on the base of the building ensures the privacy of the apartments on the first floor. On the other hand, the inner courtyard provides a sheltered retreat with private and communal areas.