Competition: Quartier Postareal Böblingen   
Status: Competition entry, open one-phase realization competition
Location: Böblingen, Germany 
Site: Former Post Office Site (Postareal)
Typology: Mixed-use urban quarter    
Area: 6,230 m²
GFA: 31,087 m² 
Year: 2021
Organizer: Böblinger Baugesellschaft mbH (BBG) in Kooperation mit der Internationalen Bauausstellung 2027 / StadtRegion Stuttgart GmbH (IBA’27)
Collaboration: vn-a I visual network art architecture, Berlin / EMHZ ACHITEKTEN, Berlin 
Authors: Huong Vu, Dung Nguyen, Wolfgang Engel, Klaus Meier-Hartmann, Prof. Klaus Zillich
Team: Duong Le, Quynh Vu, Giang Vu, Dang Nguyen
Credit: © vn-a | EMHZ ACHITEKTEN

Located between Böblingen Station and the historic town centre, the proposal creates a new urban neighbourhood that acts as a connecting hinge between the two. The former post office site is transformed into a vibrant, mixed-use district with a balanced mix of housing, workspaces, public amenities, and high-quality open spaces.
Clearly defined building volumes shape a sequence of urban spaces while establishing protected residential courtyards along Talstraße and Karlstraße. A simple and flexible urban structure allows for future adaptation and architectural diversity.
Responding to the heterogeneous character of the surrounding area, the development forms a continuous edge towards the railway to provide noise protection, while opening towards the central neighbourhood courtyard and adjacent public buildings. Building heights and block configurations create a smooth transition to the existing urban fabric.
A variety of housing types, including shared housing, family clusters, townhouses, penthouses, and live-work units, supports a diverse community. Ground-floor commercial and community uses, such as a market hall, studios, small offices, and a mobility hub, activate the public realm. The result is a compact, mixed-use urban quarter where living, working, and leisure are closely integrated.