Mathesgarten, Noertrange (LUX)

project Ideas competition for the development of a sustainable residential quarter awarding authority Fonds pour le Développement du Logement et de l’Habitat team WW+, Esch-sur-Alzette/Trier (LUX/GER), ernst+partner landschaftsarchitekten, Trier (GER), Felgen & Associés engineering, Luxembourg (LUX) rendering Stube 13, Zurich (CH) total surface 2,4 ha gfa-living 13.740 m² gfa-commerce 328 m² gfa-culture and leissure 687 m² no. of app. 50 competition phase 09/2012 - 12/2012 restricted competition participation

The approximately 2.5 ha competition area ‘Mathesgarten’ is located in the municipal community of Noertrange (main locality Winseler). It forms part of the Diekirch district and the canton of Wiltz. The Fonds du Logement is the awarding authority of the competition and foresees plans for a new sustainable and ecological residential quarter featuring approximately 50 residential units.

In terms of content, the competition contribution is characterised by the following conceptual central themes:

- New interpretation of typical local construction forms taking into account the tension involved in meeting contemporary residential demands in rural areas.
- Best possible structural integration of the new building structures into the existing village structures.
- Creation of an appropriate density with a compact housing scheme and a use of land that saves resources.
- Promotion of a healthy social mix (e.g. through offering diverse forms of dwelling and social public spaces).
- Curbing the dominance of vehicles, on the increase in many localities, through planning measures.
- Urban planning integration and thematic use of particular typical local structures (e.g. linear hedge arrangements, dry walls, characteristic vegetation).
- Making use of the exposed location of the housing zone to create an attractive entrance to the locality or its outskirts.