Kramer-Areal Überlingen: Two-phase realization competition decided

The urban planning competition for the development of the Kramer site in Überlingen has been completed. Nine architectural firms were in the running – the winning design was submitted by an Austrian studio, which focuses on a residential quarter with a variety of housing types. More about the winning design here.

On November 16, 2023, the jury met in Überlingen and, after an intensive, all-day discussion, decided to select the design by urban planning office Studio Urbanek for the redesign of the Kramer site. The Vienna-based studio is now working with BELT (architecture) and studio boden (landscape architecture) on the implementation of the new Kramer site. The jury was impressed by the design’s sensitive consideration of the many different types of housing and green spaces. Under the title “The Kramer Gardens – of promenades and courtyard plateaus”, the design prevailed over eight other proposals. The entry is now to be transferred to the formal urban land-use planning stage.

The aim of the town of Überlingen is to create a high-quality quarter on the former Kramer-Werke site. The nine final entries were selected in July 2023 as part of an initial jury. They acknowledge the revision suggestions from the first round as well as the results of a citizens’ workshop. “The urban planning office Studio Urbanek, Vienna, convinced the entire jury in the end by managing to realize an enormous spatial program on the property in an astonishingly natural way,” said Markus Müller, chairman of the jury, freelance architect and urban planner and president of the Baden-Württemberg Chamber of Architects from nearby Meckenbeuren.

The Kramer site is owned by the Wacker Neuson Group, an international group of companies and manufacturer of light and compact equipment. The Group was represented on the jury alongside eleven expert judges and ten representatives of the city of Überlingen, as well as independent experts and two representatives of the local community. “Yesterday’s jury brought to an end a realization competition that we, as the city of Überlingen, have closely accompanied in all phases. I am now confident and full of anticipation that we will soon be filling the historic Überlingen site “Kramer-Areal” with new life as an independent, sustainable and high-quality quarter,” says Mayor Jan Zeitler.

In November and December 2023, the architectural models of all finalists were publicly exhibited in the former Kramer office building. Further hearings and information events with public participation are planned for the planning process.

The Kramer site in Überlingen is around 5.7 hectares in size. Since 1952, it has belonged to the Kramer company, which was founded in 1925. Machines such as small motor mowers and tractors are Kramer’s specialty. In their day, they revolutionized agriculture. Today, the company is based in Pfullendorf. There is more space for the factories there.

The Kramer site has been empty since 2008. The planned new quarter will offer living space as well as space for innovative commercial and service uses. It is intended to provide living space for different income levels, age groups and household sizes, thus achieving a social mix.

Studio Urbanek is also planning to plant the so-called Kramer Gardens to connect the shoreline landscape of Lake Constance with the residential area of Überlingen. Buildings of various sizes are intended to preserve the identity of the Kramer-Werke with its large scale, while at the same time creating other grains and opening up the area to the surrounding urban structure. A new garden promenade focuses on soft mobility and forms the green backbone of the Kramer Gardens.

Read more: A state garden show took place in Überlingen in 2021.