Therese Strohe Michael Ullrich Architekten: Gut Hellersdorf, Building No. 13  - best architects 27

Therese Strohe Michael Ullrich Architekten

Gut Hellersdorf, Building No. 13

best architects 27

commercial/industrial buildings

Place

Berlin, Germany

Studio

www.su-a.net

Photos

Till Schuster

Description

The newly constructed workshop building complements the ensemble of historic buildings and serves as a transition to a new four-storey residential development. In both its scale and architectural expression, the building draws inspiration from the estate’s historic barns and granaries, reinterpreting elements of agricultural architecture through a solid masonry base and a cantilevered timber roof. Its restrained form and selected materials allow it to integrate into its urban surroundings while maintaining a distinct architectural identity. The ground floor combines a coal-fired brick façade with a steel-concrete composite structure infilled with vertically perforated clay blocks. The concrete components consist primarily of recycled concrete. Left unplastered, the masonry emphasises the building’s robust and durable character. The upper floor is designed as a lightweight structure using prefabricated timber wall panels and cross-laminated timber elements. Deeply projecting roof eaves protect the untreated larch façade while providing shade in summer. The project was developed in accordance with the principles of circular construction: separability and the future reuse of materials were considered in all design stages. Technical installations remain exposed and surface-mounted. The workshop building provides flexible commercial spaces, which have already been occupied in part by existing local businesses, including a car repair shop and a youth welfare institution.