The Wäschereiquartier is a residential project development by Hamburg-based Querkopf Architekten. Located in the central German city of Kassel, the project occupies a former laundry complex dating from around 1900 and extends across a total site area of approximately 5,250 square metres.
The surrounding neighbourhood is characterised by a largely intact ensemble of historic Art Nouveau houses and villas, forming a consistent residential fabric within the inner city.
Courtyard setting
The former laundry complex occupies a rear courtyard site near Bebelplatz. Existing fruit trees and areas of planting define the courtyard condition and mediate between the built volumes. The project comprises 30 residential units, ranging from approximately 35 to 320 square metres in size. The units consist of a range of typologies, including loft-like apartments within the former industrial structures, maisonette units, and larger homes created through vertical extensions, reflecting the varied spatial conditions of the existing fabric.
Architectural concept
The project is defined by the deliberate combination of preserved industrial building fabric with contemporary architectural interventions — this strategy shapes both the spatial experience and the identity of the new residential quarter. The careful handling of the historic structures forms the basis for a dialogue between old and new, positioning the site’s industrial heritage as an integral part of everyday living.
Vehicle access and parking are accommodated below ground via a car-lift system, allowing the courtyard to remain largely free of cars and reinforcing its role as a shared, landscaped open space.
A new building on Dörnbergstraße forms the main entrance to the Wäschereiquartier. Its Corten steel facade and exposed concrete interiors establish a robust material character that references the site’s industrial past while clearly expressing its contemporary use.
Courtyard extension and residential character
The extension to the former factory building within the courtyard continues this architectural dialogue. The industrial character of the existing structure is carried into the new volume through exposed steel beams and vertical window bands that extend into the roof. A historic chimney remains visible inside the living area, adding a distinctive spatial feature.
In parts of the retained buildings, generous ceiling heights and exposed structural elements remain legible within the residential interiors, maintaining a clear relationship between the site’s industrial origins and its current residential use. A rooftop terrace, set within the courtyard and overlooking the planted roof, offers a quiet place for retreat and relaxation.
Adaptive reuse and embodied energy
The careful retention of the historic building fabric establishes a coherent relationship between past and present and contributes to a significant reduction in embodied energy compared to a demolition and rebuild scenario. The project’s primary ecological benefit lies in the avoidance of emissions associated with demolition and new construction, with sustainability addressed implicitly through retention, adaptive reuse, and the careful handling of industrial heritage.
