300 dwellings are bundled in 13 units, each with its own entrance and separate owners’ association. Despite the interplay of projecting balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows and coloured panels, the architectural vocabulary of conscious reduction in the design is limited to clearly readable façades.

Vibrant living in Prenzlauer Berg

The large plot in Prenzlauer Berg, framed by various green spaces and sports facilities, lies in a peaceful neighbourhood that is not exactly characteristic for the otherwise so lively district. The plans called for a dedicated housing development on a site of more than 20,000 square metres in accordance with a coherent urban planning, architectural and economic concept. The design interpreted the functional and economic requirements in the form of a predominantly peripheral development with transverse tract. The height of the construction was oriented to a listed residential building designed by Bruno Taut. It is otherwise clearly defined as 6- to 7-storey block perimeter development in which the basement, upper floors and recessed elements are designed to respect the height of the neighbouring buildings without dominating them. Overall, the proposed eaves height, building depth and roof forms harmonize with the scale and typology of the surrounding area.

The residential complex is divided into compact structures consisting of economical, two-sided or south- and west-facing apartment layouts in different sizes. The 300 dwelling units are bundled in 13 buildings – each with two, three or four units per floor – with separate entrances and owners’ associations. The desired residential mix is assured, ranging from the compact one-room apartment to the generously-sized penthouse.

The unpretentious façades look onto the public urban space with attractive loggias, balconies and floor-to-ceiling wood-framed windows, accentuated by coloured aluminium and timber façade cladding. Through the differentiated use of materials, the rear-ventilated curtain walling system creates a high-quality, multi-layer façade. According to this construction principle, the 13 buildings of the complex have received varying designs. With conscious reduction, the architectural vocabulary of the design concept limits itself to clearly readable façades that are conscious of their urban design responsibility and claim to sustainability and durability.