Located in the city of Gerlingen, Germany, this project marks the comprehensive transformation, modernization, and vertical expansion of an existing mixed-use building. Strategically positioned on a tight, sloping corner plot, the design breathes new life into the streetscape by overlaying a highly contemporary architectural language onto an existing structural base. The project delivers optimized commercial functionality on the lower levels while introducing premium urban densification through brand-new residential tiers.
Preservation of Substance: The project avoids total demolition, structurally utilizing the existing lower ground floor levels to support the new building envelope above. The upper stories, including the recessed penthouse and rooftop terraces, represent a lightweight vertical expansion designed to maximize high-density residential square footage without expanding the building’s footprint. The lower level accommodates street-facing commercial spaces or programmatic garage parking, while the upper levels provide diverse flat configurations and a multi-level luxury penthouse.
The building shell is completely updated with a clean, white plaster facade that uses deeply recessed, large square fenestration to bring light into deep plan layouts. A dark grey metallic or concrete finish demarcates the modified lower ground floor, creating a clear architectural dialogue between the old base and the modern expansion. The expansion layout steps backwards into the hillside, using the natural slope to mask the building’s scale from the main street view (“Straßenansicht”).
The expanded massing is carefully calculated to respect the local building code (Bebauungsplan) by aligning its main roof line with the adjacent traditional pitched-roof houses characteristic of the Gerlingen area. The rear yard layout features three exterior parking bays on the upper slope, while maintaining direct interior access to the subterranean garage levels.
SCIO | architects 