Description

The building is part of the Hansaviertel development in West Berlin which was built for the Interbau building exhibition in 1957. After the residential area had been destroyed in the Second World War, it was to be rebuilt according to the rules of international modern architecture. Fifty-three architects from 14 different countries were invited to the project, including Alvar Aalto.

The axis of the house is slightly inclined to the west, thus opening up to the east, which achieves good daylight penetration for all apartments. Seen from the west, the building looks like a row house, but from the east it looks like two separate houses. The middle section of the building, with an open and covered outdoor area supported by columns on the ground floor, connects the two halves. The open walkway provides access to two staircases and the courtyard.

The ground floor of the building has four flats on both sides, and there are five flats on each of the upper floors. The building has a total of eight floors. The largest flats have an area of 83 to 90 m², the smallest flats comprise 35 m², with a predominance of larger flats in the building. All apartment have a balcony.

What makes these floor plans unique is their living space, which forms the center of the apartments (the “marketplace of the family,” according to the architect). From there access to the sleeping-room hallway, which can be optionally incor­porated into or separated from the living space, by means of folding doors. Deep loggias in front of living spaces, also accessible from sleeping and eating areas. Small private rooms at the cost of the large living space. Economical quintuple-loaded stairwells with large landings, elevator, straight-run stairs. 10 apartments per story, 8 apartments open to two points of the compass. Sauna, sundeck on roof; laundry, hobby room in basement.

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Originally published in: Oliver Heckmann, Friederike Schneider (eds.), Floor Plan Manual Housing, fourth revised and expanded edition, Birkhäuser, 2011.