Facade renovation, Berlin

The comprehensive renovation of the building envelope was carried out on this Berlin apartment building with 34 residential units in occupied condition. On the one hand, the owner wanted the façade to be visually upgraded in the style of the Wilhelminian style; on the other hand, the structural measures were to be energy-efficient and, as far as possible, eligible for subsidies. The impression of the building, which was last renovated in the early 1980s, was characterised on the street side by dilapidated balconies and a grey gravel scratch plaster in poor condition; all stucco elements had been removed in GDR times.

Following a façade study and a detailed examination of the existing building, the prestigious street façade now has a horizontal structure again in the form of cornices and a slightly coloured, structurally recognisable plinth zone.

The historic show gable, the so-called front spit, was no longer present after the effects of war and was only rediscovered in old plans.

Reinterpreted in form, it creates elegance and additional plasticity as a vertical structuring element in the manner of the Gründerzeit. At the windows, the transition from wall surface to opening is accentuated by the flaps.

In the inner courtyard, the ashlar plaster was still preserved and the former façade decoration could be guessed at, but the appearance was severely impaired by crumbling plaster and even bullet holes from the war period. In the course of the renovation, the courtyard façade was discreetly structured with found elements and calmed in its form.

In addition to upgrading the exterior appearance, the refurbishment and upgrading measures were able to reduce the energy demand of the property by approx. 70 % overall!