Housing development Riehenring/Horburgstrasse

The objective of the study contract awarded to three architectural bureaus in Basel was the development of a balanced construction concept at an important interface in the context of the city, the corner area between the Klybeck quarter and the “Erlenmatt” urban development area. The process specifications called for the complete reconstruction of the existing properties.

The building will close the gap at the edge of the city block at the corner of Riehenring/Horburgstrasse. On the backyard side, the building’s cubage in the corner area will be “widened” inward. This will give the apartments on the inner corner substantially more daylight, a better view, optimized privacy relative to one another, as well as an enhanced perspective of the garden area.

Altogether, 75 new residential units will be created. A major feature is the large proportion of small apartments, the result being a high degree of internal access density. Access will be via recessed entranceways and seven staircases on the outer wall with natural lighting. The parking garage on the backyard side connects directly to the residential building. The atrium will not be built up. Small individually bordered areas serve as adjuncts to the landscaping and offer space for playgrounds and community activities. In front of the utility and service units on the ground floor there will be an area defined by the condition of the terrain.

The decision by the property owner not to build apartments on the ground floor will significantly enhance the quality and value of the upper units. Apart from the access areas, the ground floor will accommodate bicycle parking sections, laundry rooms, several smaller workshops, as well as six studios with lavatory and kitchenette.

On each upper level there will be 13 apartments with 2½ to 4½ rooms. The flooring selected reflects a well-known, valuable form of modern urban living. The living areas face the backyard, the other rooms the street. Every apartment will have a patio facing the backyard and glazed to room height.

The penthouse apartments include the terraces in the form of a bright, open-concept living area.

www.wohnpark-riehenring.ch