Oberzelg Housing Development

The Oberzelg housing development was conceived by Esch Sintzel as a spatially coherent ensemble of buildings and open spaces. At the heart of the design is the creation of public space as an identity-defining element. A sequence of squares and alleyways forms the backbone of the development, creating a variety of places to meet and linger.

The open spaces are framed by generous loggias and elevated private gardens. The careful gradation of public, communal and private areas creates fluid transitions that encourage both individual appropriation and neighbourly interaction. The architecture draws on the archetypal qualities of traditional settlement structures and translates these into a contemporary design language. Building volumes and outdoor spaces are conceived as a coherent spatial fabric that provides orientation and shapes the character of the neighbourhood.

This approach is consistently reflected in the construction. The monolithic single-layer Porotherm masonry with roughcast combines structural simplicity with robust materiality. The pared-back material palette lends the ensemble a natural presence and underlines the commitment to durability, resource efficiency and architectural longevity.