Login
Registered users
In its design for the housing project CJ5, Caramel tackles the question of sustainable urban density on the outskirts of Vienna.
Building heights of between 4.5 and 7.5 metres are permitted for the type of building prevailing there, which allows for the construction of estates of two-storey detached or terraced houses. On the one hand, they display a high individual quali- ty of life, with adjacent gardens and terraces on the living level, but on the other hand they result in very high space requirements due to their low floor area ratio FAR (= usable living area / property area) of 0.2 to 0.4.
From an infrastructural and space-saving perspective, it would be worth striving not only for a denser flat construction style (FAR 0.4-0.8) for these areas, but also a FAR of 0.8 to1.2, which at present is only achieved by means of densely built multi-storey apartment blocks. With the pilot housing project CJ5, Caramel Architects have completed a project which both maintains the qualities of the single-family house, with a generous garden and terrace on the living level, and attains a FAR of 1.0. It is therefore more densely constructed in comparison to a multi-storey apart- ment block which comprises several units, but does not have any direct connection to the exterior space > see visual ‘Site plan and floor area ratio’ at the next side.
This has been made possible by means of a narrow floor plan layout of 5 x 35 m, with a three-sided firewall to allow the possibility of direct extension, an internal connection between the living levels, a central atrium garden and focused horizon- tal and vertical lighting areas.
Caramel
Philosophy
A new challenge every time – each project is a new challenge – this is our motto at Caramel architects.
Caramel relies on its successful participation in international architecture competitions and is often awarded contracts and commissions – including its most recent construction projects.
Besides the realization of large projects like Science Park Linz, adidas world of sports west Herzogenaurach, WIFI‐Dornbirn, Operation Workshop Building Ansfelden, and Federal School Centre Krems the trio’s members apply themselves to design studies and innovative single family house projects. Idealism and inventive talent play a major role in their designs.
Caramel’s lecture series, courses, and art projects are the salt in the soup of everyday architectural life.
Founded in 2001.
