KOROESISTRASSE APARTMENTS COMPETITION
Graz, Austria
The future residents of the project are at the center of all considerations. The goal is to create a pleasant, welcoming residential environment that allows a great degree of flexibility and quality of living.
Maximization of private and communal open spaces through generous residential balconies and roof terraces.
Full utilization of the permitted density for all construction phases while adhering to the required unit mix
Excellent light and ventilation through two- or three-sided openings in the apartments.
Easy orientation through a clear overall concept and clear hierarchy between private, communal, and public spaces.
Maximum privacy for apartments with a simultaneously minimal number and area of circulation cores.
A nuanced courtyard concept provides optimal protection against noise and traffic disturbance.
A plaza at the corner of Lange Gasse / Korösistrasse creates a clear identity for the residential project and forms an entry point into the courtyard.
An additional façade layer facing Lange Gasse and Korösistrasse serves as noise shielding against the tram.
Height integration of the approved project on Korösistrasse.
URBAN PLANNING
The otherwise closed perimeter block development of the Geidorf district is largely broken up in the Lange Gasse / Korösistrasse area — on one hand by existing suburban construction, and on the other by residential buildings from the 1960s. Additionally, the existing sports field at the southern end of the project site sits directly on Korösistrasse, preventing the formation of a closed perimeter block along the entire city block as seen in neighboring blocks.
The concept consists of a varied, space-forming courtyard development of generally four stories with partial rooftop construction.
The courtyard perimeter development creates a semi-public, protected zone for residents. All circulation cores are accessible from the courtyard. In addition, the landscaped courtyard provides protection from noise and exhaust.
The courtyard is further subdivided by two urban villa-style building volumes into smaller, interconnected zones designed as children's play areas.
The ground floor level along Korösistrasse and Lange Gasse is largely designed as a retail zone to activate the street.
ACCESS & CIRCULATION
A setback at the corner of Lange Gasse / Korösistrasse forms a public plaza that creates a clear focal point and brings the main entrance to the courtyard close to the tram stop.
In addition to the main entrance, the courtyard is accessed from the north at the Korösistrasse / Lange Gasse intersection, from the west off Korösistrasse, and from the south via a pedestrian and bicycle path running along the sports area at the southern property boundary.
All circulation cores are located in the courtyard zone and connected to each other and to the development entrances by pedestrian and bicycle paths.
Vehicular access to the underground garage is provided at the southern section of the perimeter block along Korösistrasse. Emergency vehicles can also reach the courtyard from there along the southern property boundary.
Waste disposal is provided at two locations: next to the` underground garage entrance on Korösistrasse, and at the eastern property boundary on Lange Gasse — allowing Phase 1 and subsequent phases to be served separately.
GREEN SPACE DESIGN
The interconnected courtyard zones are divided into private, semi-private, and semi-public areas. Front gardens are planned along the residential zones of the ground-floor apartments, screened from the rest of the courtyard by appropriate visual barriers.
The semi-public areas in the courtyard zones are landscaped. Each of the three courtyard zones contains either a quiet rest area or a children's playground.
FACADE DESIGN
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The residential façades facing south and west generally feature generous livable balconies accessible from all adjacent living and sleeping rooms. Full-height planted screens serve as sun and privacy protection.
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The street façade to the north and the entry plaza at the Lange Gasse / Korösistrasse corner are fitted with an additional façade layer to shield against street and tram noise. Facing Korösistrasse, generous west-facing balconies are equipped with sliding acoustic ``screens to protect apartments from street noise at night.
