The competition site on Postgranzstraße in Merano is located in close proximity to the river and opens towards the Alpine landscape. The design by Baumschlager Eberle’s Florence office, led by Giulia Maria D’Arco in collaboration with Hugo Herrera Pianno, responds with precision to this context. Two building volumes with more than 50 apartments are arranged in a wedge-shaped configuration facing the river. This preserves key views towards the surrounding mountains while ensuring a high degree of permeability within the neighbourhood.
Timber construction, durability and economic viability
The project is based on a timber frame construction using durable, low-maintenance materials. The clearly articulated façades, finished with light-coloured render and precisely positioned window openings, give the ensemble a calm and timeless character. The energy concept operates without fossil fuels and meets high ecological standards while remaining economically viable.
“CityLiving.3Me” is conceived as an open, well-connected residential neighbourhood. Green spaces, local amenities and the promotion of active mobility form the basis for a high quality of life. The jury particularly recognised the clear spatial organisation, the quality of the open spaces and the consistent approach to ecological and social requirements.
International competition
The competition was launched by Veba Invest (a joint venture between Pohl Immobilien and the Unterberger Group). The jury was chaired by Prof. Roland Gnaiger, together with Wolfram Haymo Pardatscher and Stefan Bernard. The panel was complemented by representatives of the City of Merano, housing cooperatives, as well as experts in sustainability, economic viability, law and social integration.
The project will be realised by Veba Invest in collaboration with the cooperatives Arche im KVW and Lega Coopbund.
Project partners:
Deerns Italia (MEP, building physics) · Moser Associati (urban planning) · InterStudio (structural engineering) · Thomas Pinter (geology)
Find out more about our team in Florence here.
Visualisation © Onirism
Florence, 13 December 2025
