Messestadt Riem in Munich is a compact urban-housing development with plenty of green, open spaces. Ecological concerns were also high on the agenda but until now the district has featured few energy-efficient housing projects. One exception is the NEST solaR2 zero-energy complex, consisting of a three-storey, 90-metre block of apartments and terrace houses and three shorter two-storey blocks, each with three terrace houses. All the housing units face south, on which side they are clad with horizontal boarding made of untreated larch. The west, east and north facades were mainly rendered and painted white – as a gesture of mediation towards the adjacent housing development.