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_I Restoration: wiewiorra hopp schwark architekten
2011-2012 I_
¯I Hansaviertel, Berlin
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
At the historically protected, single-family dwelling

HAUS KIRSTEN,

an air of tension is stirred up between contemporary, modern interior architecture and monument-orientated restoration.
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¯I Aerial view
Google Maps I¯

HAUS KIRSTEN


Conversion and restoration of a historically listed home in Berlin's Hansaviertel

Location: Händelallee 67, 10557 Berlin

Year: 2012

Project: wiewiorra hopp schwark architekten

Client: private

In press: Baunetzwoche #299
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¯I Garden side
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
In central Berlin, yet surrounded by green, this unusual and historically notable house is destined to become home to a family of four. The basis of the design approach was in creating a comprehensive vision that combined the

original with the contemporary.

Most of the non-original modifications were reverted or removed, bringing the building back to a raw frame that once again closely resembled the original 1959 structure. To repurpose the building as a family home without compromising the historic construction, a sophisticated ‘layer’ of sculptural, walk-in furniture has been installed.
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¯I Facade (street view) 1959
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House Kirsten, in Berlin’s Hansa district, was built in 1959 as an extension to the architectural exhibition

Interbau 1957

by the renowned architectural duo Kirsten and Nather.
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¯I Before the renovations
Photo: whs architekten I¯
After a detailed investigation into its history, it became clear that the state of the building in 2011 did not reflect the original design. The former annexed medical practice had been integrated into the living space, and the design interventions in the interior and facades were significantly altered over time through

continuous renovations.
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¯I Facade (street view).
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
In contrast to the

open

and transparent facade that left the interior spaces feeling exposed to the road, a

closed

front and high garden wall have created privacy for the private living spaces inside the house and courtyard.
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¯I Facade (street view).
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
The positions and proportions of the windows on the first floor were converted to resemble the original design, and the shutters from 2001 removed. The incongruous, shallow strip windows and canopies on the ground floor were rebuilt in a

1950s

style.
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¯I Stairway to first floor
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
Creating a

sculptural

element within the ground floor space, a sturdy unit serves to integrate the staircase, built in 2001, whilst reinventing it as a contemporary piece that compliments the building’s original flair.
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¯I Unit compromising the guest WC
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
The guest WC disappears behind a smooth

lacquered unit

that emerges from the staircase component.
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¯I View to living room
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
The entire library, finished in natural oak, creates the opportunity to retreat whilst allowing an uninterrupted

view

through to the living and dining areas.
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¯I Library
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
45 meters of bookshelf in natural

timber

complete the library.
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¯I Living and dining room
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
The spacious living area on the ground floor, which was originally designed as an open-plan area, is zoned via the built-in units of the kitchen, lounge, and library. The kitchen, which joins the generous dining area, is completely clad in

aluminum.
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¯I Lounge
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
The lounge, with its

leather

upholstered surround and seating, becomes a cozy and comfortable family space. Located between the garden and courtyard, it is completed with green views.
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¯I Wall mural von Maria Hinze
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
A comprehensive lighting concept, the mobile built-in furniture, and the

art features

complete the overall design.
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¯I Wardrobe
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
Inspired by the polygonal blueprint structure of the build,

diamond-shaped parquet

flooring was installed throughout the whole building.
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¯I Master bedroom
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
On the first floor, three

freestanding objects

divide the space and create the floor plan, incorporate the side rooms such as dressing room and bathroom, and accommodate numerous passages and views.
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¯I Master bathroom
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
The furniture modules on the first floor are all covered in

Linoleum

and the inner construction finished in black MDF. In place of the former loggia, the ‘cut-away’ units expose the historic layout of the rooms.
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¯I main shower
Photo: Tobias Wille I¯
Inside the furniture components, the bathrooms surprise visitors with their

bright colors.
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¯I Floor plan: ground floor 1959
Plan: whs architekten I¯

Floor plan: Ground floor 1959
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¯I Floor plan: ground floor
Plan: whs architekten I¯

Floor plan: ground floor
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¯I Floor plan: 1st floor
Plan: whs architekten I¯

Floor plan: 1st floor