The new Waldportal neighborhood on the hospital grounds in Sindelfingen near to the forest plays a transitional role between nature and city. Our competition design takes this into account and creates an ecologically sustainable and socially inclusive environment through a harmonious combination of buildings and landscape. Uses such as living, working, and leisure are grouped around the square with a water basin. On the southwest, a campus with an activity area, large seating terrace and a stage is being built. The prominent station block is freed to focus on the history of the site and to create an identity-forming center. The parking garage is upgraded to a mobility, logistics, and community hub. The flexible structure of the strip connects the uses, creates clear entrances, and divides into a car-free zone and an access route. Our design takes up the IBA’27 guidelines and develops a forward-looking solution for a climate- and resource-friendly urban quarter.

The preservation and careful integration of existing buildings is a central element of our design. The “heritage of modernity” is preserved and sensibly complemented by the new building. A variety of housing types, from family-friendly to communal to age-appropriate, will ensure a social mix. The housing will be complemented by infrastructure such as schools, daycare centers, and cultural and sports facilities. An activity area with playgrounds and sports fields as well as an art and culture zone will be created in the northeast. A central, accessible marketplace and event area will provide space for community activities and strengthen social interaction in the neighborhood. Green islands invite people to linger. A network of pedestrian and bicycle paths runs through the district, connecting it to the forest, hiking trails, and adjacent residential areas. Existing structures, such as the water tower, are integrated into the neighborhood as landmarks and giving it new functions.

To achieve carbon neutrality, we are focusing on a combination of energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy and sustainable mobility. The timber-frame building block is designed to maximize passive energy gains and minimize energy requirements. The PV concept ensures that the district is self-sufficient, while measures are implemented to reduce resource consumption and promote a circular economy. Rainwater management is based on topographical adaptations and decentralized infiltration areas. A forest and climate house at the northeast end of the building promotes awareness of sustainable energy use while providing a platform for plant exchange. The neighborhood encourages social interaction through a variety of common areas. Schoolyards and playgrounds create spaces for different age groups, contributing to the identity of the neighborhood and strengthening social interaction.

Congratulations to Studio Wessendorf (1st prize), pool Architekten (2nd prize) + Studio komaba (3rd prize)!

Design: caspar., mahl gebhard konzepte
Awarding authority: City of Sindelfingen
Visualization: © caspar.