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Click on images for larger color
views.
As the title to this week's book review, New
Forms of Collective Housing in Europe, attests, designs
of multi-family housing projects are in need of new ideas
and new energy in response to a climate in many European countries
where single-family housing outside cities predominates. One
of the 45 recent projects collected in that book is Kaden
+ Klingbeil's e_3, a seven-story building in Berlin's
Prenzlauerberg quarter. While appealing at first glance, the
project's qualities extend to its planning and development.
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In the same book, an essay by
Ilka and
Andreas Ruby describes the phenomenon of Building Groups
in Germany. These entities target empty lots in the typical
city block structure, targeting middle- and creative-class
families for the dwellings. Instead of involving a developer,
Building Groups use architects to drive the process from beginning
to end, with other parties involved so the law is followed.
Ultimately a designing arises that costs less than a developer-driven
project and that is catered to the specific owners of the
different units. This is leading to a higher than normal ownership
rate in a country lagging behind others in Europe. |
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The e_3 project sits at the western
end of an otherwise complete block. Seven full-floor
units are pushed against one side of the lot, with the
vertical circulation tight against the opposite lot line;
walkways connect the two areas.
This simple, yet atypical plan assures that each unit has
three sides. Three of the units use one of the additional
corners for terraces adjacent to the walkways, adding an element
of communal interaction and extending the uniqueness of the
project from development to daily life. Each unit is given
a rear balcony. |
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The interiors of the concrete-frame
buildings are open and light-filled,
the former aided by sliding wall panels and the latter attributed
to the expansive glazing on
the three sides. Materials
are predominately wood, concrete, and painted gypsum board.
The selection of materials, wall and window construction,
and mechanical systems were all geared towards reducing energy
consumption during construction and after occupancy.
Eye-catching in its apparent simplicity, the building is
an excellent precedent for the many other Building Group lots
in Berlin.
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on images below for larger views.
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