Street view with low-rise buildings, parked cars, and pedestrians.

A street view of a residential area with several parked cars and a few pedestrians walking. The buildings are low-rise with simple, rectangular windows and light-colored facades. The street is paved with cobblestones.

Modern building facade with large windows and a person sitting on a bench.
Modern building with concrete facade and large windows next to an older building.
Exterior view of a modern building with large windows, textured concrete facade, wooden door, and integrated bench on a paved street.
Residential building with trees and garden area in front.
Modern building with textured facade and large windows, featuring a passageway and cobblestone pathway, with a bicycle parked nearby.
Exterior view of a modern building with large windows, set amidst trees and a garden.
A modern residential building with a textured concrete facade and large windows, located on a cobblestone street with trees.
Modern residential building with textured facade and wooden gate, cobblestone pathway, and church steeple in the background.
Close-up of a building corner with textured concrete and a large glass window next to cobblestones and plants.
Textured exterior wall with climbing plants and a small garden.
Close-up of a building facade showing textured concrete and large windows.
Close-up of a building exterior with textured concrete walls, a large window, and a small square window, with tiled pavement.
Exterior view of a modern building with textured concrete walls, large windows, and a pathway with plants.
Person standing inside a building, looking up through a large sliding glass door with a textured exterior wall and cobblestone patio.
Textured concrete wall with cobblestone pathway and plants, building with ladder and balcony in background.
Close-up of a wooden panel next to a textured concrete wall.
Person on rooftop terrace overlooking a church with a spire and trees.
Modern apartment building on a cobblestone street with parked cars and illuminated windows at dusk.
Street view of two adjacent buildings, one modern and one traditional, with cars parked on a cobblestone street.
Modern building exterior with large windows and a cobblestone pathway leading to a wooden gate, with a church spire in the background.
View through a doorway showing a textured concrete wall with a ceiling light.
Concrete passageway leading to a cobblestone courtyard with bicycles and plants, surrounded by residential buildings.
Interior hallway with a large wooden door and brown carpet.
Interior view of a frosted glass door with a plant visible behind it.
Interior hallway with light wooden flooring and large windows covered by sheer white curtains.
A minimalist kitchen featuring white cabinets, a central island with a sink, and a wooden floor.
A minimalist kitchen interior featuring a central island, large windows with white curtains, and a simple, clean design.
Minimalist interior with sliding glass doors, balcony, wooden chair, light flooring, and shelves with decorative items.
Minimalist interior with kitchen island, large windows, and wooden flooring.
A minimalist kitchen interior featuring a white island with a sink, light wood flooring, and large windows covered with sheer white curtains.
Minimalist hallway with white walls and wooden flooring.
Minimalist interior staircase with white walls and simple railing.
Minimalist staircase with curved wooden handrail and white balusters, featuring an elongated ceiling light.
Modern residential building with bush-hammered concrete facade and large windows, surrounded by historical architecture.
Interior view of a room with large sliding glass doors leading to a balcony, where a person is standing, and white curtains on the sides.
Interior hallway with a glass wall and visible spiral staircase.
A minimalist interior featuring white walls, sheer curtains, and wooden flooring, with a glimpse of a tiled area in the background.
Minimalist bathroom with large window, bathtub, and sink.
Minimalist interior with bathtub, large windows, sheer curtains, and wood flooring.
Modern bathroom with large mirror, double sink, and window with sheer curtains.
A minimalist bathroom featuring white walls, a bathtub, double sinks, and a large window with sheer curtains, allowing natural light to fill the space.
Interior of an attic with sloped ceiling, skylight, and built-in storage.
Interior space with large skylights, white walls, wooden flooring, a round table, and a cabinet with a plant.
Interior room with large skylight, built-in desk, and chair.
Historical map of a neighborhood with streets, buildings, and a church labeled 'Umgebung Kirche St. Sylvester'.
Site plan map with highlighted area in red, showing streets, buildings, and a water body.
Site plan of a neighborhood with buildings, streets, and trees, highlighting a specific plot.
Aerial view showing a city block layout with black building silhouettes.
Elevation drawing of a multi-story building with a pitched roof, windows, and balconies.
Line drawing of a building elevation showing multiple floors with evenly spaced windows.
Architectural drawing of a multi-story building with a pitched roof and section details, including trees.
Section drawing of a two-story building with trees in the background.
Elevation drawing of a building with a sloped roof and multiple windows.
Architectural floor plan with rooms, staircase, and open area, including scale and north direction indicator.
Floor plan of a building with adjacent outdoor areas and trees.
Floor plans of a residential building showing the layout with rooms and common areas.
Floor plan of a residential building with symmetrical layout and central staircase.
Architectural floor plan with multiple rooms and a central staircase.
Floor plan of a building layout with rooms, staircase, and elevator shaft.
Floor plan showing a building layout with rooms on both sides of a central corridor.
Section drawing of a building with multiple floors, a basement, and trees in the background.
Section drawing of a building showing staircases and rooms.
Section drawing of a building with staircases and garage.
3D floor plan of a building with rooms and staircases.
Architectural diagram showing a U-shaped building, a church with a spire, green spaces, and surrounding structures.
Line drawing of a U-shaped building with a courtyard.
Line drawing of a U-shaped building layout.

Story

A Modern Ode to Historical Urban Planning

In the heart of Munich's Altschwabing district, Ursulastrasse 6 stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of modern architecture with historical urban planning. This new apartment block, designed by Studio Mark Randel and David Chipperfield, transforms a tranquil residential street into a vibrant community hub while respecting the area's rich architectural heritage.

The project takes inspiration from Theodor Fischer's "pavilion plan," a visionary urban design from the late 19th century. By completing the original city block concept with two U-shaped residential buildings and a shared inner courtyard, the architects have revived Fischer's plan over a century later. The building's alignment with its neighbor, maintaining the traditional ceiling heights and eaves, ensures a seamless integration into the existing streetscape.

The façade of Ursulastrasse 6 exudes permanence and protection, crafted from bush-hammered concrete that echoes the rough plaster of nearby buildings. This material choice, coupled with the play of light and shadow, imbues the structure with a tactile, human quality. Large windows maximize natural light and views, fostering a connection with the surrounding environment.

At street level, a café and a welcoming bench invite interaction, enhancing the sense of community. The building's rear features a two-floor coach house with a private garden, offering a serene retreat connected to a historic church park.

  • Inspired by Theodor Fischer's "pavilion plan"

  • Seamless integration with historic urban fabric

  • Bush-hammered concrete façade

  • Large windows for enhanced natural light

  • Café and public bench fostering community interaction

  • Private garden and coach house at the rear

Key Aspect Description
Location Munich, Germany
Architects Studio Mark Randel, David Chipperfield
Year Completed 2025
Building Type Residential
Material Bush-hammered concrete
Urban Planning Inspired by Theodor Fischer

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Facade: Bush-hammered concrete with a textured surface that blends with the neighborhood's roughly plastered buildings.
  • Interior Walls: Smooth white plaster walls.

Materials

  • Concrete — Facade and structural elements.
  • Glass — Windows and sliding doors.
  • Wood — Doors and interior flooring.

Construction / Systems

  • Structural System: Concrete structure with large windows for natural light.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Light concrete grey, White, Natural wood tones
  • Lighting: Natural light through large windows and skylights, complemented by minimalistic interior lighting.

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