Planet

Wohnpark GÅLLI:

 

Residential park with 70 flats

Client: JHP GmbH
Competition partner: Christopher Lottersberger ZT GmbH
Structural engineering: Klotzmann ZT GmbH

Location:Gallneukirchen, OÖ

Year2024

Photos & videos: © Kurt Hörbst

Team

Birgitta Kunsch, Gerhard Abel, Edith Fuchs, Thomas Helmlinger, Marius Cotut,
Dawit Kassaw, Paul Linsbauer, Chris Kolbeck, Fit Phuong

Wohnpark gÅLLi: Architecture that Creates Community

How can you design a residential project that integrates harmoniously into a diverse environment while enabling a thoughtful community concept? Wohnpark Gålli exemplifies this challenge: an ensemble of six buildings was created on a large, irregularly shaped plot, unified through carefully planned access routes and open spaces. The design successfully balances privacy and openness, demonstrating how architecture can foster social connections.

New Possibilities in a Diverse Environment

The site of the residential park presented both challenges and opportunities. Surrounded by single-family houses to the north, 1970s apartment buildings to the west, new high-rise point developments to the south, and terraced houses to the east, there was no clear urban development line. Despite this, the project team prioritized ensuring that the residential park blends harmoniously into its surroundings.

 

The central idea was to divide the site into two sections, each with three buildings, interconnected through shared access pathways and communal open spaces. This strategy created a housing development that, despite its scale, balances inward orientation with outward openness, encouraging both community and a sense of belonging.

 

Rethinking Circulation: Spaces for Encounters

In the Wohnpark Gålli, circulation spaces are more than just functional necessities—they are central places for interaction. The spacious, light-filled stairwells not only provide room for everyday items such as bicycles, strollers, or spontaneous pauses but also encourage social engagement. Children can play safely here while neighbors meet and interact informally.

 

Dual-entry elevators ensure user-friendly and accessible pathways, optimizing circulation. This functional approach is complemented by warm materials: wooden elements add a welcoming atmosphere, enhancing a sense of comfort and community.

Openness to the Outside: Connection, Not Isolation

The residential complex emphasizes openness and integration. Public pathways and green spaces—including the “Secret Garden", a central village square, and playgrounds—invite not only residents but also members of the surrounding community. This permeability fosters a sense of connection between the residential development and the town of Gallneukirchen, transforming coexistence into genuine community.

The buildings are arranged to maximize the use of open spaces, including lawns, playgrounds, and communal areas. These outdoor spaces serve as transitional zones that bridge private gardens and balconies with public areas. These transitions encourage communication without compromising residents' need for retreat and privacy.

Flexibility and Quality as Core Principles

The apartments in the Wohnpark Gålli are designed with adaptability in mind—accommodating the evolving needs of residents at different life stages. Flexible floor plans allow for the easy reconfiguration of rooms. Additional rooms can be created for growing families, while existing spaces can be opened up when children move out. Similarly, space for caregivers can be added as needed.

 

Another defining feature of the residential park is its wrap-around, covered balconies, which evoke the feeling of a single-family home. With a generous depth of 2.5 meters, these balconies offer expansive outdoor living areas, far exceeding the typical 1-meter standard. Every room in each apartment has direct access to the balcony, creating a sense of openness and lightness while seamlessly balancing privacy with a connection to the outdoors.

The Wohnpark Gålli delivers maximum adaptability and quality of life—a prime example of modern, future-oriented living.