“Atrium” residential complex of the Kelsterbach non-profit building cooperative completed /“Age-appropriate living without compromising on quality of life” /Realized by Laun architectural office /Accessible and wheelchair-accessible arcades /Flooring with non-slip and economical WPC decking from NaturinForm.

An exemplary residential complex by the Gemeinnützige Baugenossenschaft Kelsterbach eG (GBK) has now been built in Kelsterbach, on the outskirts of Frankfurt, a city on the Main River. Following the motto "Age-appropriate living without compromising quality of life," the developer and local architect Thomas Laun planned the "The Atrium" building complex. Investments in the first privately financed GBK project totaled approximately €8.3 million. All 43 residential units, each with one and a half, two, or three rooms, have now been occupied by GBK tenants or former homeowners from the region. The three-story, brick-built complex consists of two residential buildings facing each other, which connect with the outbuildings to form an atrium with a landscaped courtyard. The 45 to 75 m² apartments feature south-facing balconies and are accessible via elevators and walkways. Non-slip WPC decking from NaturinForm ensures a safe step on balconies and access decks. A service point for residents completes the age-appropriate living concept.

Knowledge of the future residents' needs and attention to detail characterize architect Laun's plans. This is demonstrated not least by the access to the apartments via wheelchair-accessible arcades with safe flooring. "The basic idea and main aspect of an arcade is always to give residents the feeling of being able to continue living in their own space. After all, each apartment has its own, recessed 'front' door. Bathrooms and kitchens all face the arcade. The kitchens have a corner window so that the arcade can be seen." Another advantage of this horizontal access with 7 to 8 apartments per corridor, according to the architects, is cross ventilation and lighting. "All rooms have natural light. There are also no enclosed bathrooms."

WPC decking with versatile properties

The niches created by the varying widths help break up the "streets" between the floors and serve as meeting places for neighbors and friends. The design of the walkway with WPC decking ensures safe driving and walking. Slip resistance and a comfortable feel were just as important during the planning process as continuous accessibility to and within the apartments. "According to existing standards, however, we would have needed a connection height of 15 cm between the access gallery and the apartment to prevent rainwater from entering. With a flooring made of WPC elements, however, the water is drained downwards through the joints between the boards. The board area is connected to the apartments at floor level, thus ensuring accessibility," explains architect Laun. The relatively low surface weight also met the design requirements of an access gallery. Another advantage: WPC ensures cost-effectiveness through its ease of care and low maintenance requirements. Specifically: "The decking boards don't need to be painted and oiled regularly like other wood flooring. With a length of 65 meters per walkway, this represents a significant cost saving."

Safe appearance – safe installation

After receiving detailed product information and consulting from Heinz-Dieter Göbel of NaturinForm, Thomas Laun opted for the 245 mm wide "Die Rationelle" plank in anthracite. The team from Parkett Hofmann, Nüdlingen near Bad Kissingen, under site manager Johann Schefel, carried out the preparation and installation according to the manufacturer's specifications: A welded membrane was applied to the concrete of the walkways, onto which the 40/60 mm base profiles were placed with a 2% slope, and the decking boards were installed. A layer of gravel and height-adjusting swivel feet were used on the ground floor.

Residential buildings with arcades and balconies have now been completed, and the tenants have moved into their apartments. According to architect Thomas Laun and Michael Metternich, managing director of the non-profit building cooperative, the external appearance of the atrium complex is a complete success. The color scheme is particularly impressive: the bright orange and dazzling white interplay of the facades provides a vivid contrast to the subtle gray of the arcades and the shiny gray steel railing. Thomas Laun's special commitment to the GBK project is no coincidence: His grandfather and father had already planned and executed projects for the building cooperative in the architectural firm, which was founded in 1935.