Pappelallee 21a
Urban Design
Despite its modern design the new building connects visually to its neighboring buildings from the late 19th century (Gründerzeit). The distinct variety in width and height of the adjacent buildings is a result of historic developments and characteristic for this part of the alley. By closing the gap with the new building the rhythm of the overall elevation is completed.
The façade of the new building consists of plastered walls with window openings. The façade has a classical order: the plinth is covered with mosaic tiles, the middle part has windows, and the upper part is mostly closed, concluding the building towards the roof.
Square windows in three different sizes are the defining design element. The deep loggias of 3m x 3m are typologically in the tradition of Berlin’s Gründerzeit houses. The colored and slightly protruding framing elements around the windows are an additional reflection of this period’s architecture.
The complexity of the interior space generates a free composition of windows in the façade. The big loggias reflect the high living spaces behind. The windows of the staircase are shifted in height and make the staircase an integral part of the façade.
The site is oriented in east-west direction. Therefore it provides ideal conditions for the natural lighting of the residences. The 12m wide and 40m long plot is divided in three parts: The zone for construction is located in the front third of the site. The ground floor is used for retail and has a passage to the inner courtyard with an adjacent staircase. Behind this zone is an area of lawn and six parking lots. The garden of about 300m² is a high quality open space available for all residents.
Architecture
The project “Pappelallee” seeks to combine the advantages of a new building with the qualities of a historic house. Each apartment has a clear height of 3.15m in the living spaces and of 2.65m in the adjoining zones. The higher and lower spaces are shifted floor by floor. This results in an overlap and interlocking of the floors by 0.5m in height. In some apartments the floors step down whereas in others the ceilings step up. The interlocking of the stepping floors creates a complex spatial structure. At the same time it makes use of the volume in an optimal way. On the one hand there is a generosity in the living spaces, on the other hand the minor floor heights of the adjoining functions like kitchens, bathrooms and sleeping rooms are utilized in a highly efficient way. As a consequence long corridors -typical for historic houses- can be omitted entirely. The open spaces for living and dining are completed by enclosed sleeping and bath rooms and storage spaces. The shift of the high space on each floor leads to individually different floor plans throughout the building. Each residence has an individual character. Structurally there is only one central column. For this reason all apartments can be divided individually according to the need of the different users. This flexibility also allows later changes if required. In addition every apartment has a 16m² balcony with south orientation. Its curved shape reflects the position of the sun and prevents the shading of the residence underneath.
Garden
The courtyard is divided into three parts with different levels: The carport is on street level and allows space for six parking cars. The zone behind with the newly created landscape connects to the neighboring gardens 1.3m above street level. The green roof of the carport with lawn and extensive planting is on the first floor level and creates a garden with direct access from the adjoining residence on this floor.
New Residences „Pappelallee 21a”
Stefan Tebroke / Carlo Calderan