Residential Quarter FRML, The new housing project with 33 apartments was completed in Dec 2019. It was designed by the young architectural office MS PLUS ARCHITEKTEN, who won the competition with a convincing design in 2016. At this stage, the demolition of the profane conciliation church was undertaken. The main challenging topic was to keep the site’s character based on the iconic church, built in the 1960s.
© Roland Borgmann
The project closes the street corner by an angular volume, which helps to blend in with the large-scaled buildings along the ring road and the neighboring from the end of the 19th century. Based on the given urban structure the project develops a silhouette, that is stepped from 4 stories down to 2 stories. A noise protected court was planned, using the combination of two duplex-houses and two protected trees, which are embraced within the project.
© Roland Borgmann
Affordable living. The Kreuzviertel-district is one of the most popular and moreover valuable residential areas in Münster. The New building project generates 33 apartments, sized from 40qm up to 115qm. The design includes differing typologies such as floor apartments, multi-story apartments, and duplex-houses.
© Roland Borgmann
Green center. The center of the new quarter is based on the noise-protected court which includes a lounge and playing area for all the residents, connected to the private gardens from the ground floor apartments. The integration of the big existing trees creates a favorable atmosphere and a green center of the quarter.
© Roland Borgmann
Facade and character. The light brick façade with the structure giving surface is a reminiscence to the ornament pieces of the old church and additionally continues the red colors of the neighboring brick façades. The bold relief continues the openings in the vertical and horizontal way and attends as a dividing element, which connects the openings on the edges of the building.
© Roland Borgmann
The compact design permits a significant and contemporary integrating façade within a building budget appropriate to affordable and social housing.
Project Info
Architects: MS PLUS ARCHITEKTEN Bücker Holling Schwager PartGmbB
Country: Germany, Münster
Area: 5100 m²
Year: 2019
Photographs: Roland Borgmann
Design Team: MS PLUS ARCHITEKTEN Bücker Holling Schwager PartGmbB
Clients: Wohn+Stadtbau GmbH
Buidling Services: Hatting & Kuhlmann TGA GmbH & Co. KG, Recklinghausen and FHP Frye Haustechnikplanung, Nottuln
Building Services: Hatting & Kuhlmann TGA GmbH & Co. KG, Recklinghausen and FHP Frye Haustechnikplanung, Nottuln
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.