Metastadt | Metastadt-Planungsgesellschaft mbH
Germany | 1974 | hard form
« Wohnanlage Genter Strasse | Projekt Wohnhaus / The Growing House »
| Address: | Wulfen |
| Work Type: | new built |
| Context: | urban |
| Location: | the centre of the new town Wulfen |
| Type of Building: | cluster |
| Number of Units: | 102 |
| Other Uses: | 2600m² (commercial) |
Description
As with the Square L-Type system by the architects van den Broek and Bakema, the Metastadt building system was supposed to provide a concept for a flexible model of urbanism. A pilot scheme supported by the Federal Government, the system behind the Metastadt development is that of a space plan that is supposed to be capable of unlimited horizontal and vertical growth. The main structural module is 4.2 by 4.2 metres and 3.6 metres high, with an interior module of 0.6 metres. Main column support is every 16.8 metres, and cantilever spans can measure up to 8.4 metres. Within this frame, enclosure can be created as needed.
The various elements of the system such as the loadbearing structure, non-loadbearing panels and services were kept independent. The space frame structure itself is bolted to allow easy assembly and disassembly - everything remains changeable and adaptable. The infill system is separate from structural system: the office spaces have demountable walls whilst partition walls in apartments are made of plasterboard. The facade panels are based on a small set of interchangeable parts with a vertical and horizontal module of 0.3 metres held in position by 'push buttons'. One further aspect that contributes to the system's flexibility is the servicing system, which is accommodated in raised floors with a clearance of 0.45 metres. Even the name, Metastadt, hints at the idealism and uncompromising nature of the scheme. In the end, due to technical faults that resulted from cost cutting measures, the building was demolished in the early 1980s.References
Cox, K.-H., 'Aus der Traum : Zehn Jahre Metastadt und was nun?' Stadtbauwelt, 76, 1985, pp. 959-63.
Deilmann, H., J. C. Kirschenmann, and H. Pfeiffer, Wohnungsbau. The Dwelling. L'habitat. 3rd edn, Stuttgart: Karl Krämer Verlag, 1973.
Götz, L., F. Huster, and W. Koblin, 'Flexibilität im Wohnungsbau. Untersuchung zur Umbauflexibilität von Trennwänden', Bauwelt, 71, 1980, pp. 629-35.
Janssen, M., 'Interview mit dem Metastadt-Architekten Richard J. Dietrich : Man hätte uns nicht in Richtung Wulfen treiben dürfen', Bauwelt, 79, 1988, pp. 1990-95.
Janssen, M., 'Metastadt, Wulfen : Eine Studentin von heute über eine Utopie von gestern', Bauwelt, 79, 1988, pp. 1990-91.
Kuhnert, N., and P. Oswalt, 'Für eine Architektur des Gebrauchs', ARCH+, 1989, pp. 22-23.