Residential and commercial building with access balcony glazing
A cooperative residential building on Fetscherstraße, which is built in the same style as the surrounding rows of apartments from the 1950s, became part of the Dresden cityscape in 2023. With a subtle concertina pattern, the building skilfully responds to its environment, while a non-insulated glass front made of slide-and-turn elements create a high-quality space that protects the access balconies against noise and pollution. The client is Wohnungsgenossenschaft Johannstadt (WGJ), and the design and execution were overseen by Leinert Lorenz Architekten.

The seven-storey new build, set back from the main road, closes off a block perimeter development consisting of renovated and, in some cases, vertically extended apartment buildings owned by WGJ facing Fetscherstraße. As a cooperatively managed ensemble, they enclose a quiet inner courtyard. The new commercial units on the ground floor enliven the urban space. The upper floors house 37 new residential apartments. All living spaces and loggias face onto the courtyard. In front of the street-facing kitchens and bathrooms, there are spacious access balconies enclosed by floor-to-ceiling, slidable glazing. The up to three-metres-wide access balconies serve as an access area and as additional outdoor space for residents.

Transparent noise and weather protection
The non-insulated glass front consists of the transparent Proline T slide-and-turn system from Solarlux. The system elements not only adapt to the curved shape of the facade, but also form transparent corners and close off the access balconies on the front sides of the building.

The individual elements can be opened in sections and parked next to the building supports in small, unobtrusive bundles. This is made possible by suspending the elements from guide rails at the top, allowing them to be rotated outwards by 90 degrees and pushed to the side. And since the panes only have subtle aluminium profiles at the top and bottom, they create the sense of being directly among the green of the treetops, undisturbed by traffic noise – especially on the upper floors.

Guaranteed air circulation
When the glazing is closed, the natural draught that comes through the joints and integrated trickle vents ensures the necessary air circulation and comfortable temperatures. On the first floor, the ventilation can additionally be controlled using tilting elements integrated in the facade, which also serve as smoke flaps for the different fire sections.
