“Mittendrin”—literally “right in the middle”—captures the idea of living close to everything, with short distances and an everyday life free from unnecessary detours. This concept forms the basis of Wohnpark Mittendrin, a new residential development in Stutensee, a major district town north of Karlsruhe.
A new neighbourhood has been created on the site of the former indoor swimming pool and an adjacent commercial area. It continues the existing urban fabric in a harmonious way while at the same time establishing its own green centre as a shared focal point. With 152 homes, we have created attractive living space for a variety of lifestyles and, through a high proportion of publicly subsidised units, are contributing to affordable housing.
Arriving between town and neighbourhood
With its varied façade design and differentiated building heights, the development creates a well-integrated transition to the surrounding context. Three- and four-storey buildings alternate along the access axes, forming a coherent yet lively overall composition. The connection to the town centre is via Brunnenstraße, which links the new quarter to the centre of Stutensee on foot. As an inviting transition from public to private space—and as an address that gives the quarter its own identity—the entrance is accentuated at a central location by a residential café.
“Green Heart”, short distances
At the centre of the development lies the “Green Heart”, framed by four-storey buildings. Trees that will provide shade in the future, play areas, and seating create a place to linger and encourage encounters between generations. It was important to us that the open space shapes the character of the neighbourhood and plays a central role: it is at once a stage for community, a green retreat, and a meeting point. Permeable pathways ensure clear orientation, short routes, and varied sightlines. They link the neighbourhood directly with its urban surroundings and make arrival easy—on foot, by bicycle, or via public transport. The result is a fine-grained network of paths that combines everyday practicality with high-quality open spaces.
A social mix that strengthens the community
A wide range of apartment sizes provides attractive living space for different target groups. Around one third of the apartments are publicly subsidised and rented to households with lower incomes. This is a key element in ensuring that the neighbourhood becomes “right in the middle” not only architecturally but also socially. In total, the 152 homes were built over a period of around three and a half years. In the long term, approximately 350 people will find a new home here.
Sustainability as a system
At Wohnpark Mittendrin, sustainability is understood not merely as a set of technical features, but as a contribution to a neighbourhood that functions well in everyday life, remains affordable, and fosters a sense of community. The buildings meet the Efficiency House 55 standard. The energy concept combines heat pumps, a combined heat and power (CHP) plant, and PVT collectors—hybrid modules that generate electricity while simultaneously producing heat. Additional photovoltaic systems have been installed on the upper roof areas, allowing part of the energy to remain within the neighbourhood. A tenant electricity model enables residents to use energy generated on site. Extensive green roofs and landscaped areas support rainwater retention and improve the microclimate—visible in the design and effective in everyday use.
