Deilegrund Residential District, Dilldorf

With the Deilegrund residential neighborhood, Sustina AG is developing a housing project in Essen-Dilldorf that goes far beyond traditional multi-story apartment construction. The neighborhood combines sustainable architecture, social inclusion, and community-oriented living arrangements into a sustainable model for urban coexistence. Plans call for three buildings with a total of 123 apartments, two residential groups, four guest apartments, and additional community, commercial, and neighborhood spaces. The concept includes, among other things, a neighborhood café, a community workshop, an exercise and event room, and a neighborhood management team that supports and strengthens social interaction over the long term.

What makes it special is not only the spatial design but also the social concept. Deilegrund caters to different generations and lifestyles and deliberately creates an inclusive living environment: barrier-free 2- to 5-room apartments, wheelchair-accessible units, a residential group for seniors, and a residential group for people with disabilities are all part of a neighborhood that combines self-determination, support in daily life, and neighborhood networking. This model is supported by, among others, AWO Essen and Integrationsmodell Essen e.V.; at the same time, the neighborhood office—with its app and on-site management—is intended to serve as a social hub for residents.

Architecturally, too, the project follows a clear vision. The three buildings are arranged in such a way as to create a distinctive address and to form a car-free, communal courtyard within. These open spaces are not intended as leftover areas, but as the actual stage for communal life: play areas, gathering spots, raised beds, gardens, and green spaces that promote biodiversity expand the private living space to include shared outdoor areas. At the same time, the neighborhood café brings the address to life toward the urban space and opens the project up to the surrounding neighborhood.

Another key aspect of the project is its consistent focus on sustainability. Deilegrund is being built using a hybrid wood construction method and, according to Sustina, is one of the pilot projects in North Rhine-Westphalia for the Building Resource Passport. As a renewable raw material, wood shapes not only the project’s ecological strategy but also its spatial atmosphere and materiality. The architecture thus combines technical and social sustainability: resource-efficient construction, floor plans designed for long-term use, and a living environment geared toward community and adaptability.

Our architectural visualizations do not translate this unique approach into an exaggerated, glossy aesthetic, but rather into a deliberately understated, atmospheric visual language. For Deilegrund, we chose an abstract, watercolor-inspired style that emphasizes atmosphere, functionality, and social quality. The images depict not just architecture, but the idea of a neighborhood where encounters, community, and everyday life come to life. Especially for a project whose strength lies in community and lived togetherness, this softer, interpretive form of visualization supports the communication of the concept particularly well.

The exterior views highlight the communal courtyard, the green open spaces, and the lively ground-floor areas. The interior views show common rooms, a workshop, a laundry room, and residential lounges as the neighborhood’s social infrastructure. This creates an overall picture that conveys not only the architectural structure but also the cultural and social concept behind it. The visualizations thus became an important tool not only for explaining the project but also for bringing its spirit to life.

Deilegrund exemplifies a new generation of sustainable residential neighborhoods: mixed-use, inclusive, resource-efficient, and community-oriented. The visualizations highlight these qualities early on and help convey a project that seamlessly integrates architecture, open space, social organization, and sustainable development into a cohesive whole.