Produktives Stadtquartier Winnenden : 1st prize

Text from IBA’27, Stuttgart, 02.03.21

Architects JOTT architecture and urbanism from Frankfurt am Main have won the open urban planning competition by Winnenden municipal authorities and Internationale Bauausstellung 2027 StadtRegion Stuttgart (IBA’27). The design for a productive and liveable urban neighbourhood for the future mixes areas for industry, business, housing and leisure in new high-density urban building blocks that are embedded in generous shared open spaces. Jury chairperson Prof. Tim Rieniets has praised the design as “a truly pioneering project and an asset for Winnenden and the Stuttgart Region”. IBA’27 Artistic Director Andreas Hofer describes the project as a “milestone for the IBA” that marries housing with manufacturing and the landscape in an urban space. Lord Mayor Hartmut Holzwarth has spoken of a “stroke of luck for Winnenden”, which could become a “real model for other productive urban neighbourhoods far and wide”.

Industrial halls, an artisans’ courtyard and workshops, a building for start-ups, traditional offices and co-working spaces, laboratories and studios, a childcare facility and a mobility centre, a farm shop, a café and maybe a seasonal wine tavern. On top, roof gardens and greenhouses as well as lots of different types of housing with views of the surrounding countryside. All of this in seven mixed-use, high density blocks with inner courtyards that are a hive of urban activity. Outside of these ‘productive clusters’ where people work and live are generous open spaces. These spaces run through the entire neighbourhood, where they connect the blocks and act as a shared space or ‘commons’, for example as meadow orchards or playing fields. A vibrant and welcoming main axis is punctuated by several small squares and community facilities, where pedestrians and cyclists have right of way. Cars can be parked in two neighbourhood car parks on the fringes. A market square forms the inviting entrance in the direction of the city centre and the train station.

This is the image created by the design by Prof. Dr. Janna Hohn and Josh Yates from JOTT architecture and urbanism (Frankfurt am Main) for “Winnenden productive urban neighbourhood”. The new urban quarter is to be built on an area of roughly 5.5 hectares between Winnenden train station and the B 14 national road. Last Wednesday, the jury selected the entry by JOTT architecture and urbanism from a total of 34 entries, unanimously awarding it first prize in the competition.