Global Atelier 1.0 – Vauban: A Sustainable GERMAN Neighborhood
To inaugurate the AB design studio “Global Atelier” series, our colleague Raphael Wendt gave an insightful presentation on Vauban, a groundbreaking sustainable German neighborhood in Freiburg.
Vauban is celebrated for its exceptional energy efficiency and forward-thinking urban design. Freiburg, known as Germany's sunniest city and often referred to as "Europe's Greenest City" due to its harmony with nature and commitment to eco-friendly technologies. Vauban has a population of approximately 350,000 and is comparable in size to Santa Barbara.
Vauban, situated south of Freiburg’s urban core on a former French military base, was developed during the 1990s following a public petition. This neighborhood is similar in size to the marina area of Santa Barbara. Vauban implemented energy standards 25 years ago that are only now being adopted nationwide in Germany. The consumption of gas and electricity in Vauban is a quarter of what is typical in California.
[Image credit: The "Sun ship" designed by Rolf Disch, the first commercial Plusenergy building.]
In terms of its building standards, Vauban features homes that adhere to Passivhaus principles, including net-zero and plus-energy homes. The neighborhood’s approach to energy efficiency is comprehensive.
Buildings are designed with south-facing sun shading overhangs, unshaded windows to the east and west, and incorporate solar power. Heating is provided by low-energy systems that use water-heating solar vacuum panels. The strict airtightness requirements prevent warm air from escaping, while cross-ventilation is used instead of air conditioning. On an urban scale, Vauban employs a centralized cogeneration unit that captures and redistributes heat from conventional electricity generation. Furthermore, the design prioritizes compactness; efficient buildings are achieved by maximizing their volume relative to the surface area, leveraging the cubic function of volume over the square function of surface area.
[Image credit: On the right, "Wohnanlage Bellevue" in Freiburg-Vauban by Spiecker Sautter Lauer Architekten.]
Vauban exemplifies sustainable suburban development with its blend of architectural diversity and consistent density. The neighborhood includes a mix of mid-rise apartment buildings, some refurbished and others newly constructed, such as the solar village.
The area is organized around a central axis with public transport and a concentration of amenities, including university buildings, student housing, kindergartens, elderly homes, office spaces, and community gardens. Its well-developed public transport network features a train station, three tram stations, three bus lines, and a regional bus service.
Vauban also places a strong emphasis on reducing car dependency. Most streets are designated as play streets, with speed limits restricted to walking pace and no permanent parking allowed, while residents use two public parking garages for their vehicles.
The neighborhood integrates greenery throughout, including on the ground, rooftops, walls, and drainage ditches, enhancing aesthetics, natural cooling, and rainwater absorption. The high density of the area supports the preservation of surrounding green spaces.
Following his presentation, Raphael compared Vauban with Santa Barbara, highlighting the challenges of car dependency and proposing ways to improve urbanism in Santa Barbara, including a redesign of Haley Street to incorporate more sustainable urban practices.
[Image credit: Stadthaus M1 housing and Green City Hotel by Barkow Leibinger.]