With the expansion of the Mainz suburbs to create new living space at the end of the 1960s, the ‘Diana am Wildpark’ high-rise housing estate was built in the so-called ‘Mainzer Sand’: Within just a few years, three giant high-rise buildings with up to 23 floors sprang up to the north of the centre of Gonsenheim. A fourth high-rise building, which was initially planned, was discarded during the construction period in favour of the so-called ‘Wildparkwiese’. The planning of the new urban quarter was carried out by the Speerplan office, the floor plans and façades of the buildings were designed by the construction property investors themselves.

The high-rise buildings are designed as a chain of tower blocks and are staggered in height to avoid a monotonous appearance. The ground floor is designed as a columned floor that supports the entire building, inside, there are various types of flats with up to four rooms. The plans also provide for a view of the greenery from each of the tower blocks, which is why every flat has at least one loggia or balcony.

Following the establishment of a local supply system with a row of shops, ‘Elsa’, as the residential complex was soon simply called after the street’s name, became a functioning microcosm with workplaces, shopping facilities, education, healthcare and public transport. 

Translation from Robinson Michel’s article in: MAINZ 1970–2000. Das neue Selbstverständnis in der Architektur (2024) by Die Betonisten

In use (last updated on November 1, 2024).