¹²² Loftgebäude Lehrter57, Berlin [1. Rang]

We suggest to build the new Studio Buildings at Lehrter-Straße out of one element: a window, which engages today's technology and possibilities. Combining two floors into one window-element, it relates to the sills proportioning the existing brick buildings and hints at a horizontal disposition of the façade-design. At the same time the vertical is addressed as the windows are stacked on top of one another. This stacking also engages the window as individual element. As opposed to conventional glass façades, a window is clearly distinguished from its in-between. And as they are also slightly shifting their angle in plan, the reflections of the surroundings will be subtly facetted. In that sense their disposition and their arrangement replace the idea of a structured surface following the rules of material, texture, ornament, technological limits or functional requirements.

project: apartment building (Lofts)
type: competition
client: Karin Sander, Ragna Robertsdottir, Petur Arason, Bernhard Thome, Svanur Kristbergsson
year: 2007