The southern block, S01+S02, marks the start of the new Karlsquartier. Situated directly on the newly designed neighbourhood square, it will become a central hub for communication and social interaction.
The design draws on the characteristic features of the adjacent existing buildings and blends harmoniously into the existing structure. In line with the objectives, a sustainable development has been designed which, in addition to attractive, affordable housing, also provides for social and commercial facilities in the areas of local amenities, retail and services.
The architectural concept is characterised by a clear and robust structure that also has an attractive and sculptural appearance. The building’s storeys, the design of the plinth and the horizontal articulation of the façades blend seamlessly into the urban landscape surrounding Borsigplatz. The building encloses a spacious, landscaped courtyard offering a high quality of amenity, which forms the centre of the block.
Particular attention has been paid to the layout and scale of the building blocks, as well as to the varied colour scheme of the façades. The building mass is divided into several individual blocks, each with its own roof terrace and differing in colour scheme and access layout. The varying shades of green on the buildings, combined with a plinth zone featuring contrasting materials, create a harmonious appearance. At the same time, the colonnade running along the neighbourhood square adds a further connecting element to the urban spatial structure. On the upper floors, loggias and balconies, arranged according to the specific location, contribute to a varied appearance.
The new development expands and complements the existing range of local amenities, commercial and communal facilities, which are located on the ground floor and make use of the adjacent outdoor spaces, whilst also offering attractive residential units from the first floor upwards. The project comprises both privately funded and subsidised housing, divided into three separate blocks. The result is a balanced and socially diverse neighbourhood that meets the needs of all residents.
The building employs a functional, serial, standardised construction method with a high degree of prefabrication, whilst creating attractive and flexible flats, as well as a high-quality, vibrant and distinctive appearance. The result is a community hub that brings together a wide variety of uses, housing types and open spaces.
A two-level courtyard is the defining feature of the new block. A spacious open staircase connects the two courtyards. The western part of the courtyard is linked to the street via external staircases running alongside the passageway. The courtyard is designed around the theme of the ‘urban wilderness’. Here, urban life is combined with natural diversity and vitality.
Residents experience a green oasis with diverse, ‘untamed’, native vegetation that invites them to linger. Habitat is also created for insects and small animals. In addition to the large inner courtyard, each building block has its own roof terrace, offering all residents a private space for socialising and interaction. Vertical greenery is planned for the facades of the roof terraces and on the balconies.
In the interests of environmental sustainability, building materials are used in a targeted and resource-efficient manner to minimise the carbon footprint accordingly. A high degree of prefabrication shortens the construction time, and the ease of dismantling allows for reuse. Roof surfaces serve as terraces, green spaces and for generating electricity via photovoltaics technology. Rainwater can be allowed to infiltrate on-site, whilst greywater reduces the consumption of fresh water. The grid allows for a timber hybrid or timber frame construction – by doubling the column spacing, a reinforced concrete frame construction is also possible, although its carbon footprint would be significantly worse than that of a timber building.
The concept for economic sustainability is based on compact floor plans, efficient service provision, a high degree of standardisation and modular construction. Prefabricated façade elements enable short construction times and reduce costs. Four bathroom types and two façade variants ensure straightforward implementation. The skeleton structure allows for flexible apartment sizes by combining or separating rooms.
Social sustainability is achieved through affordable housing and thoughtful design that fosters a sense of community. Publicly accessible ground-floor areas, barrier-free access and communal courtyards and roof spaces strengthen the social fabric.
Competition:
Specialist planners:
HPP Berlin (fire protection)
Visualization:
Flooer