As part of the 1993 Internationale Gartenbauausstellung (International Horticulture Exposition) in Stuttgart, thirteen architects were invited to respond to the theme ‘responsibility towards nature’ through experimental design for eco-housing. Mecanoo was commissioned to design sixteen flexible units for new forms of dwelling at the vacant southwest side of an existing triangular block.
With its design, Mecanoo came up with a surprising interpretation of the German ‘Dreispänner’ concept. Instead of the required building type with three dwellings per storey off a stair tower, the design consists of a composition of three separate towers, linked at various levels by footbridges to a freestanding transparent lift shaft.
This serves to open up the block and creates a connection between the internal courtyard and the public green space. Tapering upwards, the towers contain a total of thirteen small apartments and three maisonettes that can be combined into a large dwelling with only a minor adjustment.
The composition and materials of the facades characterises the towers as objects. One facade has been made of glass. Except for the slotted windows, the three other facades are closed. In this project the ‘tower typology’ has been made into an architectural paradox. Stripped of the primary entry zones the blocks are no more than a slender stacking of dwelling units.