Mid-century studio apartment in Berlin’s Hansaviertel neighborhood
We completed the renovation of a micro-living apartment in a high-rise building in Berlin’s Hansaviertel neighbourhood, known as the centerpoint of the International Construction Exhibition Interbau in 1957.
Reframing Home
Berlin's post-war construction period thrived also in experimentation. Apartment towers along the Tiergarten park were designed with the goal to create city apartments within a small space to accommodate the growing population aspiring to a less conservative and family-independent lifestyle.
Escape in the heart of the city
As we enter the space our eyes immediately are drawn towards the oversized balcony windows overlooking the city park. The full-width window front floods the studio apartment with sunlight throughout the day, making the space feel larger.
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The simple L-kitchen lines up the room with a a quirky feature: a pivoting table allows transforming from a U-shaped unit into a long L-shape as needed. This allows for a better exposure to the large window front and emphasizes a division between social and relaxing space.
Compact functionality
– with a gimmick
Cork & the mid-century
Cork thrived as a flooring material in the mid-century period and can still be found in its original state in many architect villas across California.
Besides the thermal and acoustic insulation it brings, it also brings a new comfort layer: you can walk bare-feet at home given the warm touch of the material.
The enduring beauty of cork lies in its irregular natural patterns, which are able to gracefully disguise the scratches and dents, the passage of time.
Cork floorings were typical
in mid-century apartments, and were used for example by the Eames couple in their own residence and office.
“The details are not the details. They make the design.”
– Charles Eames
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As we enter the entrance door, we are welcomed with a modern and familiar setup: mirror and console on one side. A slatted wall integrating a bench on the other side. The slatted wall is the only element suggesting a physical border to the sleeping area. A new cork flooring was installed in the main division, spanning across the kitchen area as well.
The renovation takes cue from the originally planned open layout and prioritizes the living and sleeping areas facing the large window-front.
Seamless simplicity
With an open layout in such a small space, it was fundamental to keep a sense of calmness, concealing lines from the eyes and enabling the absence of chaos. The bathroom walls are lined with deep green Marazzi tiles, catching the light and adding a touch of sophistication to the intimate space.