Description

Without inside knowledge one would not know that the new building in the Wilhelminian district in Berlin-Pankow is a timber construction. The architects, who got to know each other at the Institute for Urban Timber Construction, were looking for an opportunity to realise their self-developed timber construction system, the fertighauscity 5+, which is conceived for inner-city house types of up to five storeys and can adapt to meet the specific conditions of a site. Through the use of computer-aided milling systems and the ability to prefabricate elements and assemble them quickly on site, the architects claim, timber construction has become economical and can compete with in-situ concrete construction. A suitable site was found in the Pankow district of Berlin. Two of the architects form the core of the collective custom build project that totals 13 different owners. The cellar was poured as in-situ concrete as was the ground floor (for cost reasons) and the two stairs and lift shafts (for fire safety reasons). Timber was used in three different ways: the structural skeleton is made of laminated timber columns and laminated veneer lumber beams; the ceiling elements are made of solid cross-laminated timber (with sand fill material containing technical installations and underfloor heating, topped with a screed floor); and the walls are hollow timber frame elements filled with natural insulation material.

The 13 apartments with sizes varying from 100 to 200m² are oriented front to back and face onto the street and the garden. Six of them are two-storey apartments, and five of those are on the ground and first floor, some with a separate front door. All floor plans were discussed and agreed with the later residents, while seven installation ducts afforded ample opportunity for variation. The variety of different apartments can also be seen in the fenestration of the façades. The entrance area serves as a communal space for meetings and parties, and the garden and children’s play area as well as the roof terrace are jointly used.

The core of the group comprised two of the project architects. The group was found through various channels, including mailings, building community portals, property portals, notices on lampposts, flyers and posters. During the planning phase, most took part in regular meetings (every 2 to 4 weeks depending on the phase). The residential profile is fairly homogenous and comprises young families, with a predominantly academic background.

The site was found via the Berlin Senate’s management system for infill sites. An 8-month option on the site was agreed (by handshake rather than notary) with the private owner of the site during which the project idea took shape and financing was secured. The site was then purchased.

The initiative was started by the architects in June 2008, the group formed between December 2008 and September 2009, the plot purchased in June 2009, planning and construction from January 2010 to October 2011.

Privately financed.

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Originally published in: Annette Becker, Laura Kienbaum, Kristien Ring, Peter Cachola Schmal, Bauen und Wohnen in Gemeinschaft / Building and Living in Communities, Birkhäuser, 2015.