Sehw Architektur, a Berlin-based architectural firm, has recently completed a new residential development in the southeast of Berlin. The two-building project, designed for professional nomads, offers different forms of housing for over 50 residents on a gap site in Berlin Schöneweide.
The project is a modern building block for urban densification in growing cities. With Berlin continuing to attract many young people, temporary accommodation for professional nomads has become increasingly necessary. The project offers a lively mix of residents, with individual flats, a large shared flat extending over two floors, and cluster flats for two to five residents.
The front building allows for a way through and a view of the twin building placed at the back, creating a sequence stretching from the public street space via the accessible semi-public courtyard to the private communal garden. Using open construction, the architects have maximized living space on six stories.
In terms of urban space, the building site marks the transition from a Wilhelminian perimeter development to an open-row development of the post-war period. The two buildings adjoin the firewall gables of the neighboring buildings on one side and are free-standing on the other.
The buildings were executed by a general contractor in solid construction using calcium silicate bricks and reinforced concrete. The smooth, light-colored plaster façades with their generous floor-to-ceiling windows contrast with the dark, L-shaped balcony elements made of sheet steel. The elements are distributed on the façade like appliqués and are facing in different directions, offering either privacy or inviting communication.
Sustainability was a key concern for the architects, and the building uses “low-key” building services. Despite the generous window areas, it is highly insulated and features efficient external shading devices. Rooms are aired by simple window ventilation instead of a mechanical air handling system. The central heating system is supplied with ecologically generated district heating, and the rooms are heated via underfloor heating with low flow temperatures. The reinforced concrete ceilings act as a storage mass for cooling in the summer months. The building is designed as a low-energy house, and smart features are available to residents.
To ensure that the residents feel comfortable, space-saving and smart furniture has been integrated into the building’s design. The furniture was produced and installed by a carpentry firm. In the interior, white and shades of blue prevail for textiles and furniture, which as color highlights help create a sense of identification. Many living areas have their own terraces or balconies, and the generous outdoor spaces between and behind the buildings add to the feel-good quality.
The project was led by lead architect Xaver Egger, with project manager Hilka Nieselt and project architects Nadine Kopetzki, Katerina Koutentaki, Koert op den Brouw, and Sebastian von Stosch. Landscape architecture was provided by Henningsen Landschaftsarchitekten, and fire protection was provided by ABIT Ingenieure.
In conclusion, Sehw Architektur’s new residential development in Berlin Schöneweide offers an innovative solution for modern job nomads. The sustainable, low-energy building provides a high quality of life in a small space, with smart features and space-saving furniture. The different forms of housing ensure a lively mix of residents, and the generous outdoor spaces add to the feel-good quality of the project. The architects have successfully executed an in-fill development without closing the gap site off completely, creating a sequence stretching from the public street space via the accessible semi-public courtyard to the private communal garden.
