At first glance, »Wohnregal« inconspicuously blends in with the traditional terraced houses and perimeter block developments typical of a residential area in Berlin-Moabit. Look again though and it’s clear for all to see what makes this project unique. By using pre-cast, exposed concrete elements common in industrial warehouse construction, the building frees itself from the structural and visual conventions of residential architecture. The result is affordable housing with rental units on six floors ranging from 37 to 110 square metres, made as simple as possible by the system of using pre-cast elements. Pillars, beams and their joints are not hidden in any way. The windows, floor-toceiling lift-and-slide units, are standardised and simply mounted in front of the structure as curtain walls on the long sides of the building facing the street and the courtyard. The pillar-free spaces created in this way allow individuals maximum flexibility to customise the space and subsequently adapt it should they need to change its use.

The success of the approach lies in bridging the gap between the contradictions of efficiency and diversity. The living spaces are the polar opposite of the standardised floor plans commonly found in today’s housing market. At the same time, becoming familiar with the system means adapting to its unique characteristics and understanding that the things one might initially perceive as limitations actually have architectural potential. Systemic thinking in this sort of form opens up new, future-proof architectural worlds. Instead of a universal serial logic, the architects have opted for a shelf principle, which only provides the framework for different lifestyles and floor plans. The interior design of the residential units is conventional, which is why all of the fire protection and sound reduction requirements can be easily met. The question of expression and the aesthetics of serial construction is also answered anew. The greater tolerances within the building component joints allow open spaces to be created that are flooded with sunlight. The concrete components, which weigh several tons, appear to be detached from each other and look like they would float.

Throughout the thermal envelope, the building services are surrounded by a concertina-like grille construction made from thin metal bars, while the 29-metre tall stage tower has a semi-transparent membrane façade. Inside, a colourful foyer welcomes the visitors, who will proceed through to either the large auditorium for 600 people or the second stage for 200 people. The furnishings and fixtures made from in-situ concrete play on the space and, together with the coloured surfaces and the building geometry, form a sculptural whole.

Source: Profile magazine, issue 28

Download the profile 28 here (pdf, 8,0 MB)