Have you noticed how these two buildings seem to converse with each other? I’m talking about Romeo in Stuttgart. It’s a striking apartment building with a story as captivating as its name.
Romeo, along with its partner building Juliet, stands proudly in the western part of Zuffenhausen. This area is a small neighboring town to Stuttgart. Schozacher Straße 40 is its address. This location rapidly became a residential sector in Germany.
Hans Scharoun, the architect, wanted to give these buildings an identity. The inauguration took place on September 12, 1959. Almost everyone in Zuffenhausen still recognizes Romeo and Juliet today.
Scharoun’s Romeo building embodies his architectural vision. After World War II, there was a high demand for housing. Also, social facilities were needed. Scharoun integrated Garden City theories into his designs. He embraced a return to nature. He envisioned buildings with various scales.
Scharoun saw the detached house as part of a larger collective. This became social housing, which in turn formed a neighborhood. He considered this neighborhood an autonomous entity within the urban fabric.
Like many of Scharoun’s projects, Romeo grows from the inside out. The facade reflects the needs of its occupants. The building is functionalist. It is based on repetition and simplicity. It offers wide open spaces.
The Romeo tower was the first to be constructed. It served as a central element. However, the broader project was never fully realized. After its construction, the name Romeo was chosen. People realized the duo formed by the two buildings. They felt the buildings were incomplete alone. That’s how the ring-shaped building became Juliet.
Romeo marks a point where numerous roads intersect. The tower rises 19 stories. That is 196.97 feet. Its cantilevered balconies point towards the sun. This detail, along with the pointed roofs, gives it a dynamic character.
The main entrance is on Zchozacher Strasse 40. The core communication has two elevators and hoists. There is also a ladder. On each floor, six dwellings are accessed through an L-shaped hallway. This hallway is illuminated on both sides.
The apartments vary in size and distribution. They range from one to four bedrooms. The largest apartments are at the ends. The first floor features a restaurant. It creates a connection to the public sphere.
Scharoun aimed to offer an attractive and efficient product. He implemented the industrial and economic use of materials. He distilled his conclusions from 39 years of experience. He was 61 years old when construction began.
Romeo and Juliet stand as a testament to Scharoun’s vision. They reflect his innovative approach to residential architecture. The buildings also embody the spirit of post-war Germany. They meet the demand for housing and community. They harmonize with their surroundings. They create a unique profile in the urban landscape.