Rheinstrasse 63

Accommodation for students is rare in the university city of Darmstadt. Demand has been rising for years, but the supply of housing is not growing to the same extent. When bauverein AG began planning the modernisation of the two former administrative buildings at Rheinstraße 63 and 65, the idea therefore arose to convert the older part of the property, built in 1950, into a student residence in order to support the city of Darmstadt in providing urgently needed housing for students. Easier said than done, as extensive modernisation work and changes to the floor plan were required to make the more than six-decade-old part of the building habitable and adapt it to today's needs. However, Ernst-Friedrich Krieger, an experienced architect who had already realised the student residence on Eschollbrücker Strasse for bauverein AG, was recruited.

Based on his design, 77 residential units for students were built, which were quickly rented out as soon as they came onto the market. The offer ranges from 1-room flats to shared flats for 6 people. All student residences have TV and computer connections, their own bathroom and a fully equipped kitchenette. A special feature is the inclusive rent, which includes all consumption and ancillary costs as well as the connection to the high-speed data network and means planning security for students.

The stairwell, designed by two graffiti artists, with its "tree of knowledge" extending from the basement to the top floor, is well worth seeing. Rheinstrasse 63 received the coveted "Bauherrenpreis" in the "Modernisation" category in 2013. The jury praised the sustainability of this project in particular.

Photos: © Frank Seifert, www.frank-seifert.com