Following a competition organised by the Fonds Kirchberg in 2013, lot 1 of the special development plan (PAP) for Kiem Ouest in Kirchberg was allocated with the winning project by the Spanish office Amann.Cánovas.Maruri, in collaboration with Adelino Magalhaes. The construction was carried out by Baumeister-Haus, and the landscaping was designed by Proap.
The site is located in the southern part of the Kiem Ouest district, between Rue Simone de Beauvoir to the east and the heart of the block. The development comprises three buildings lined up along the street and three buildings at the heart of the plot. A total of 92 flats have been developed and marketed as affordable housing.
There are flats of various sizes, as well as several duplexes, a type that is not very common in Luxembourg and is one of the characteristics of this design.
Two times three blocks
The volume of the buildings is determined by the limits imposed by the PAP regulations. However, the architects have chosen to treat the buildings in two distinct ways. The first is on the street side, where three buildings directly confront the urban character. These buildings face the street, in contact with the city. Their facades are clad in sheet steel. The façade alternates between perforated and solid corrugated panels. The perforated sections are unique in that they fold like an accordion, acting like shutters that retract sideways and protecting windows and loggias. In this way, the façade is brought to life by the fixed solid sections and the mobile perforated sections, which can be opened or closed according to the needs of the occupants.
Another feature is the treatment of the recessed upper storey, which is continued by terraces. A tubular steel structure supports sunbreakers and acts as a rod for curtains, an unusual accessory for exteriors in Luxembourg.
The other three blocks of this development use a softer material on the facade: vertical strips of wood, to better match the landscaped character of the central part of the block. Unlike the street-front buildings, the upper storeys of these blocks are enlarged by the introduction of balconies. Their continuous treatment forms a ring around the building. And where there are balconies, the façade is clad in sheet metal, creating a contrast of materials on the façade.
Classic flats and duplexes
Inside the buildings, there is a certain variety of flat types: two- and three-bedroom flats, and, above all, many duplexes. This is certainly one of the strengths of the project, and the advantage of going through a competition to create these buildings.
One of the buildings, in the centre of the plot, is made up entirely of duplexes: the ground floor with a garden and a first floor, while the second floor linked to the third, which continues with a roof terrace. In this manner, the two stacked duplexes each have outdoor spaces, but with different characteristics.
The flats are oriented according to the direction of the sun and visual relationships to create optimal living conditions.
All the homes meet the energy standards of an AAA energy performance certificate.
Technical details
Client: Fonds Kirchberg
Architect: Amann.Cánovas.Maruri, in collaboration with Adelino Magalhaes
Builder: Baumeister-Haus
Competition: 2013
Construction: 2019-2022
Location: Kiem district, Luxembourg-Kirchberg
This article was written in French for the special edition of Paperjam Architecture + Real Estate. The content of the special issue is produced exclusively for the special issue and is published on the website as a contribution to the complete Paperjam archive.
