New housing concept on historic land
A new estate has taken shape on historic land, just a stone's throw away from Berlin's centrally located "Unter den Linden" boulevard, that the media have taken to calling a "playground for individualists" for one thing. Owing to the use of elements from varying architectural styles, no two houses are the same.
The reconstruction of the Friedrichswerder district with its small-plot structure is the first scheme of its kind in Berlin. It is considered a model scenario for further urban planning projects of similar thrust.
Architect Marc Jordi worked with clients Ulrich and Ulla Schulte to develop a multi-storey town house for the site. Before actually planning the structure, he drew up a catalogue of design criteria and came up with a type of facade whose choice of materials and stylistic leanings were at one with the historical nature of the location and the overall architectural approach. The architecture echoes elements of the two-storey house that formerly stood on the site as well as integrating a further floor with a mansard roof stylistically offset by a high classicist roof parapet. Remains of the facade from the old Hitzig-built house found on site were re-incorporated into the new facade and supplemented by a frieze.
In keeping with the house's "citizenly" spirit, Jordi opted for door handle FSB 1135 and window handle FSB 3735, whose underlying form was already much in demand in the 19th century. He went for a waxed natural-coloured brass finish. He was won over to the material because it "ages nicely" and hence discreetly fits in with his architectural concept of the "New Old". Jordi also sees the FSB product range as embodying a timeless, European design that suits the hand well moreover.
The Schulte family won first prize for their P8 multi-storey town house at this year's "Back to the City" KfW Awards on the grounds of its having a plan conducive to division into several residential units and of its being "citizenly" in design in a subtly understated manner.
Photos: Marc Jordi
