Arched walkway (architecture)

A pergola is a covered, exterior walkway that provides access to several apartments on a single floor while remaining open to the outside of the building. Unlike an interior stairwell, the pergola runs along the facade and allows direct access to the apartment entrance doors from the outside. This architectural form has a long historical tradition and is once again in vogue in modern residential architecture as a space-efficient and cost-effective means of access.

History and Prevalence

The arcade has its precursors in the historic half-timbered architecture of Franconian cities: covered exterior walkways (known as “Söller” or “Gaden”) can be found on old farmhouses and townhouses in Franconia and Bavaria. In the modern era, the pergola became widespread in Germany through social housing construction from the 1950s to the 1970s-as a cost-effective alternative to interior stairwells. Typical examples are the large housing estates from this era in Nuremberg-Langwasser or Fürth-Ronhof.

Today, the pergola is experiencing a renaissance in affordable housing and green building: the increased living space per floor area makes it economically attractive, and modern wood-hybrid constructions allow for better control of thermal bridges and weather-related issues than in post-war buildings.

Structural Characteristics

• Access Efficiency: A pergola can provide access to six to twelve apartments per floor, whereas an interior stairwell typically serves only two to four-resulting in significant space savings in common areas
• Natural Lighting: Unlike interior corridors, the pergola is flooded with daylight and well-ventilated
• Sound insulation: Since apartment entrances do not adjoin a closed hallway, the risk of impact noise transmission from the circulation area is reduced
• Accessibility: In combination with an elevator, well-suited for barrier-free construction in accordance with DIN 18040-2

Disadvantages and Limitations

• Weather protection: Residents are exposed to the elements when entering their apartments; the walkway itself must be cleared and de-iced regularly
• Privacy: The walkway runs past the apartment windows, which facilitates visibility into the apartments and noise from neighbors
• Thermal bridges: Cantilevered concrete slabs for the pergola walkway are classic thermal bridges; modern designs use thermally separated brackets or wooden structures

Fire safety and building code requirements

Fire safety is a particularly relevant issue for pergola walkways, as the walkway serves as the sole escape route for all accessible apartments. The Bavarian Building Code (BayBO) stipulates that the pergola walkway, as an escape route, must have a minimum width of 1.0 m (1.5 m for high-rise buildings) and must be kept free of combustible materials. Bicycles, strollers, and furniture must not obstruct the escape route. When performing energy-efficient renovations on existing buildings with pergola walkways, it is important to note that insulating the parapets or enclosing the walkway with glass can alter its escape route properties-this must be coordinated with the building inspectorate.

Energy-Efficient Renovation of Buildings with Pergolas

The weak point of older buildings with pergolas lies in the cantilevered concrete slabs and columns: they form thermal bridges where energy is lost and condensation can form. Modern renovation strategies rely on thermally decoupled cladding made of steel or wood, which replaces or covers the existing pergola. In Bavaria, the KfW program “Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings” (BEG) supports such renovation measures, provided the entire building meets a defined energy-efficient building standard. For condominium associations, the decision regarding such a renovation is a matter for the owners’ meeting and requires a qualified majority.

Practical Tip for Owners in Nuremberg and Franconia

In Nuremberg, pergola buildings are primarily found in housing developments from the 1960s and 1970s, particularly in Langwasser, Großreuth, Schoppershof, and parts of Fürth-Südstadt. When renovating such buildings, insulating the arcaded ceilings and addressing thermal bridges at the connection points to the building envelope are often the biggest challenges-and at the same time, the areas with the highest energy-saving potential.

Anyone buying a condominium in a building with a covered walkway should carefully review the energy performance certificate and the current status of the homeowners’ association’s resolutions regarding maintenance reserves and planned renovation measures. If an expensive renovation of the covered walkway is foreseeable, this could result in a significant special assessment. We are happy to refer you to specialist planners who specialize in the energy-efficient renovation of buildings with pergolas and assist our buyer clients in realistically assessing the risks associated with such properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the pergola considered common property in a homeowners’ association?

Yes. In a homeowners’ association, the pergola is common property; maintenance and cleaning are the responsibility of the HOA. Individual uses (e.g., flower boxes, bicycles) require a provision in the community bylaws. Anyone wishing to use a section of the pergola exclusively needs a special right of use, which must be established in the declaration of division or by resolution.

Can I create a private zone on my pergola?

To a limited extent. The homeowners’ association may, by resolution or in the declaration of division, grant individual owners special rights of use for sections of the pergola walkway. However, fire safety requirements (escape route width) limit the placement of furniture-items that obstruct the escape route may be removed by the homeowners’ association administration or even the fire department.

How does the walkway differ from a balcony?

A balcony is a private open space belonging to an apartment that is designated for exclusive use. The walkway is a common access route to which all residents on the floor have access. Technically and legally, the two must be clearly distinguished. A balcony is available only to the apartment owner; the pergola walkway is an area comparable to a public hallway.

How does the pergola walkway affect the living space?

As a common access area, the pergola walkway itself does not count toward the living space of the individual units. Apartments in loggia buildings therefore typically do not have private outdoor spaces such as balconies-unless the design includes additional private terrace sections or balconies on the opposite side of the facade. Buyers of apartments in loggia buildings should take the lack of private outdoor space into account when deciding on the purchase price: In the Nuremberg market, the lack of private outdoor space is increasingly viewed as a disadvantage and affects marketing and pricing. Conversely, arcaded buildings often offer more spacious floor plans due to their layout structure, as the traditional interior hallway is eliminated.

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