Urban Timber Construction Adlershof

Berlin

The building plot on the Adlershof Science Campus has a clear north-south orientation. It is developed on one side - via Newton-Straße. Access to the rear areas of the site must be via separate areas. On the NW side, the entire length of the site borders on a central green corridor, which already has high open space qualities. We therefore want to connect the private open spaces directly to the green corridor and keep the site as a whole largely free of car traffic.

A binding urban design defines a development figure consisting of 3 detached houses. This definition is rather unfavorable for the design parameters of development, A/V, 1st and 2nd escape routes. We are counteracting this with optimized utilization.

Development + outdoor facilities

The relationship to the neighboring natural space is extraordinary. We take these open space qualities as a benchmark and transform them into our own open space concept. The trafficable areas are reduced to a minimum. Cars are accommodated near the site access road and under the cantilevered upper floor of House 1. In this way, a large part of the site can remain open to infiltration and be linked to the landscape with lawns and water-bound paths.

Open spaces/garden areas for the private use of the house communities will have lawns, some with playground areas. This allows private open spaces to merge into the park landscape without any perceptible boundaries. In this way, an extensive connection to the landscape is created.

The entrances to the three buildings are easily recognizable and barrier-free on the ground floor. The vestibules are generously dimensioned and thus form places for conversation “en passant”. The surfaces of the stairwells are untreated - exposed concrete as an in-situ concrete construction with board formwork and, if necessary, a colored coating.

Buildings

“Density - privacy - resource” are the criteria according to which the buildings were developed. Balconies and direct access to open spaces with links to the public parks support this concept. The apartments and buildings are staggered in such a way as to prevent prying eyes. The houses stand freely on the site and do not have basements.

Construction

The load-bearing structure is a timber skeleton system. Wooden beams span over 5m in the longitudinal direction, hybrid ceilings (wood + steel) are laid across them with a span of up to approx. 7.5m.

This creates free floor plans - “plan libre” - that are permanently variable and can also be changed in the future with just a few simple steps. Only the positions of the installation shafts are fixed. The ceilings are installed as timber-StBn composite ceilings, the façades are suspended as timber frame elements in front of the load-bearing skeleton and clad with horizontally structured larch cladding.

This construction method enables extensive prefabrication - the primary supporting structure, ceilings and façades are constructed in the factory and assembled on site. This means that the construction time can be reduced to a minimum.

ConcreteHybridWood

Data

Study

2017

Address

Newtonstraße/
Alexander-von-Humboldt-Weg
12489 Berlin

Client

HOWOGE Wohnungsbaugesellschaft mbH

House 1

Views
Views
Floorplan Groundfloor
Floorplan 1st Floor

House 2 + 3

Views
Views
Floorplan Groundfloor
Floorplan 2nd Floor

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Conversion + Renovation Office Complex

Bottrop

On the 8,500 m² site in downtown Bottrop, there are two buildings that were previously used as office spaces. The southern "RAG" building was constructed in 1955 and was extended with an additional section on the northern side in 1972.

After a comprehensive renovation, both building sections will primarily be used for residential purposes. A mix of apartments, maisonettes, and communal living spaces will address various housing needs. Office use will be organized over six floors in the "RAG" tower.

The external appearance of the "RAG" building can be preserved even after renovation, and a residential outdoor area will be created on the roof. The 1972 building will be enhanced with balconies and a ventilated wooden facade.

LivingMixedOfficeWood

Data

Study

2018

Address

Gleiwiter Platz / Böckenhoffstrasse
46236 Bottrop

Client

Elad Germany, Berlin

Partner

Interior design:
bueroZ, Stuttgart
Technical building equipment:
Janowski & Co Beratende Ingenieure GmbH, Berlin
Structure:
IB Horn GmbH, Leipzig
Fire protection:
Neumann Krex & Partner, Meschede

Floorplan Standard Floor
Floorplan Maisonette
Views

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Competition Sports Hall Karpfenteich Primary School

Berlin

The urban environment of the Karpfenteich Elementary School is relatively small-scale. The area is characterized by two- to three-story, detached houses with front gardens and a set-back from the street. The school design from the 1960s reflects this environment by placing the volume deeper into the plot, limiting the number of stories, and creating an open space in front of the building for access—an expansive gesture.

We aim to preserve this gesture and therefore position the new building at the site of the existing single-field sports hall. We align with the scale of the surroundings and place significant parts of the building program underground. What remains visible is a single-story pavilion, which resembles a greenhouse more than a sports hall due to its transparent and opaque facades.

The hall area, playing fields, and all ancillary rooms are located in the basement. The upper half of the hall volume is visible above ground—designed for natural light and with opportunities to look in and through. A small entrance building stands separately next to the pavilion, constructed with the same materials and housing stairs and an elevator. The entire building is barrier-free throughout. The program areas are implemented in detail, and the street-facing end features a taller structure with chimneys for ventilation and exhaust.

Construction + Load-Bearing System

All exterior wall components below ground are made of reinforced concrete. Due to the hydrological conditions, a bathtub design is not necessary. Therefore, high insulation is provided along with protection against seepage. The roof area above the ancillary rooms will be designed as walkable.

The hall roof will be constructed from pre-stressed steel profiles. This allows for a minimal structural height (reduced heated volume) with a simple construction and low construction costs. Small BSH (laminated veneer lumber) beams are placed at intervals of 67.5 cm in the longitudinal direction, providing support for perforated plywood panels (sound absorption) as the substructure for the roof assembly. Therefore, the underside of the roof is primarily wooden. Wood is also used as a defining surface on the walls of the lowered hall area (covering for concrete walls). The roof surface will be extensively greened and will not have any openings. Natural lighting for the hall is ensured through the facade.

Supports are added as V-shaped columns along the longitudinal sides, placed on top of the concrete walls (longitudinal bracing).

Building Envelope: Roof + Facade

The longitudinal facades will be constructed from multi-chamber sandwich panels. These panels are held at the base and top points and interlocked longitudinally with tongue and groove. The panels are opaque, creating a linear, light-permeable skin without glare in the interior of the hall—abstract and detailed. The gable facades will be glazed transparently, allowing views through the building to the open spaces behind or down onto the playing area. Horizontal pipes mounted on projecting elements provide sun protection on the gable sides. The roof will be extensively greened (5th facade) and will remain without penetrations. All underground envelope parts will be built as robust reinforced concrete constructions with high insulation.

Sustainability

Avoid energy expenditure – Optimize energy conversion – Intelligently control energy usage

The building is compact. The air-exposed surfaces are minimized, thus reducing transmission heat losses. All facade surfaces can be utilized for natural lighting. Roofs are highly insulated and unbroken. The spatial program is implemented 1:1, and circulation areas are kept to the necessary minimum. All rooms are naturally ventilated. An exhaust chimney will be constructed that extends about 7 meters above the hall building. The interior spaces are connected to the natural ventilation system through overflow openings.

The constructions are straightforward and easy to erect. The number of materials used is minimal; they are uncomplicated yet robust and easily replaceable if necessary. Dismantling, deconstruction, and disposal can be done with simple equipment, and the materials are largely recyclable.

ConcretePublicSteelWood

Data

Competition

2012

Address

Hildburghauser Straße 135-145
12209 Berlin

Awarding Authority

Senate Department for Urban Development and Environment Berlin

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House at Lake Wandlitz

Wandlitz

The new building is situated on a site with a gentle slope towards the west shore of Lake Wandlitz.

To minimize the footprint of the property, the house has been designed as a slender structure along the northern boundary. A lightweight wooden construction rests on steel supports above the natural terrain, which remains untouched and unchanged. The two-story building consists of prefabricated wooden frame walls and ceilings. The west facade is clad with dark-stained 3D wooden slats of varying widths. On the north side, the black metal cladding of the cantilevered shed roof extends onto the facade. The gable ends are fully glazed with large, two-part sliding elements.

The house is designed for multifunctional uses—workshops, conferences, temporary living, etc. Alongside the north facade, a 1.0-meter-wide service zone, similar to a walk-in closet, has been incorporated, containing restrooms, bathrooms, storage areas, kitchenettes, stoves, and additional sleeping arrangements (Japanese courtyard house). The remaining floor plan is divided into different rooms—cabins—with open living and working areas on the ground floor. A key feature is the terraces located at the gable ends, oriented towards the lake and the forest. The wooden decks are large and extend the usable space. Like the house itself, they do not touch the ground.

HybridLivingMixedSteelWood

Siteplan
Floorplans

Data

Completion

2016

Address

Uferstrasse 10
16348 Wandlitz

Client

Private

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H+H order picking building

Höningen

A gentle slope, with an industrial area at the back and a wide view of the Soester Börde at the front—an appealing yet challenging situation. The neighboring structures are large and faceless, spread out across the area.

The theme of the new building for H+H is the edge of the slope—seemingly sinking into the terrain, the interior features two levels: a continuous ground floor for order picking and, on a gallery level suspended from the roof, zones for storing all necessary packaging materials.

Offices and an apartment are located on the single-story side of the building, offering a view of the landscape. The structural framework is designed as a mixed construction—wood (roof trusses, wall panels) and steel (columns) form an architectural unit.

Awards

Architecture Prize of the
WestHyp Foundation

1996

Siteplan
Floorplan Groundfloor

Data

Completion

1995

Address

Oesterweg 14
59469 Ense-Höingen (Landkreis Soest)
Deutschland

Client

Hütter + Hansen

View North
View West
Section

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Spreestudio Clubhaus

Berlin

The new building will be positioned parallel to the adjacent water basin, ensuring protection of the landscape with an appropriate distance.

The building is expected to be used by 13 units. Four units on the ground floor will extend over a space height of approximately 5.60 meters, featuring a suspended gallery accessible via an internal staircase. Eight smaller units on the upper floor will be accessed via two stairwells. One stairwell core with sanitary facilities will extend to the roof and provide access to the top rental unit, a meeting room. The roof will be designed as a walkable area with intensive landscaping and will be accessible to all tenants.

The building will be constructed using a combination of wooden and reinforced concrete structures. Core areas inside and the floor slabs will be made of reinforced concrete, providing stability to the skeleton structure. Wooden columns and ceiling beams will be installed according to structural requirements and fire protection standards. The terrace and the meeting room on the roof will be constructed using a mixed wood and steel framework.

The façade construction will be made of wood with a metallic surface and will feature individual floor-to-ceiling window elements. The water side will be entirely constructed using a post-and-beam system with glass.

The interior fit-out will include only basic sanitary facilities and connections for a kitchenette in each rental unit. Flooring and wall surfaces will be finished by the tenants themselves.

The building will be constructed using a combination of timber and reinforced concrete structures. The internal cores and floor slabs will be made of reinforced concrete, providing rigidity to the skeletal structure. Wooden columns and ceiling beams will be installed according to structural requirements and fire protection standards. The terrace and the meeting room on the roof will be built using a mixed wood and steel construction.

The façade construction will be made of wood with a metallic finish and will feature individual floor-to-ceiling window elements. The waterside will be entirely constructed with a post-and-beam system using glass.

The interior fit-out will include only basic sanitary facilities and connections for a kitchenette in each rental unit. Flooring and wall surfaces will be finished by the tenants themselves.

ConcreteHybridLivingWood

Data

Study

2016

Address

Zur alten Flussbadeanstalt 1
10317 Berlin
Germany

Client

Spreestudios GmbH Co. KG

Siteplan
Floorplan Groundfloor
View

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Residential Development And Redensification Bergkamen

Bergkamen

Bergkamen is an artificial settlement. It followed the mining industry northward, was initiated by it, and grew along with it. There is no traditional town center. The economic hub, characterized by high density, dates back to the 1970s but remains unfinished to this day. Most of today’s residents do not work in the mining industry, and the city is attempting to develop a tourist profile by restructuring abandoned industrial sites along the canal (marina, restaurants, leisure businesses, etc.) and to attract innovative industries. With its residential areas bordering directly on open landscapes, Bergkamen is an attractive place to live for commuters working in the Ruhr region. Property prices and living costs are low here.

One of the existing settlements from the 1960s is part of the portfolio of Ruhr-Lippe-Wohnungsgesellschaft mbH, a non-profit company that has invested significant resources in renovating the current properties both in terms of energy efficiency and structure (raising buildings due to subsidence from mining damage). The plot sizes are generously dimensioned, with large distances between houses. We propose a densification of the existing area that takes into account the specific spatial situations. As a result, a family of buildings will grow, including three-story point houses, two-story apartment buildings, and single-story rows with maisonette apartments. All of these will have direct exterior access to shared garden spaces and private loggias (top floor), balconies (upper floor), or terraces (ground floor).

New buildings will be constructed as prefabricated composite structures made of wood and reinforced concrete elements, with neutral floor plans that offer a high degree of flexibility. The buildings will not have basements. The existing trees on the plots will be preserved. Above-ground parking areas will be consolidated at several central locations. The orientation of the floor plans follows the sunlight: all living spaces are oriented to the south, while utility, auxiliary, or bedrooms are located on the north side.

Systematics

The floor plans are based on a layering of building components and functions. The apartment depth is approximately 10 meters. Steel columns with steel beams run longitudinally, positioned directly behind the facade line and along the central axis. Hollow-core concrete slabs span the transverse axis. All components are prefabricated at the factory. Strategically positioned service shafts complete the solid structural framework.

The facades are hung in front of the structure, creating an interplay between closed, highly insulated elements with clapboard siding (larch) and floor-to-ceiling, operable windows. On the south side, private terraces, balconies, and loggias are incorporated, directly adjacent to the communal garden areas. Technical rooms are located centrally, with storage space, laundry, and drying rooms within each apartment. Staircases extend across the entire height of the building, functioning as semi-public spaces. The apartments are flexible, with movable walls and adaptable apartment sizes. Each unit can be modified in increments of 15 square meters—building technology and separated utility metering make this possible. Apartments are offered as "space units," with floor plans designed individually with tenants. Lofts with standard sanitary facilities are rented at minimal prices, and additional building elements (walls, doors, etc.) increase the base rent.

The barrel-shaped roof is multi-layered, consisting of curved glued laminated timber beams (BSH), a gypsum board interior lining, trapezoidal metal sheeting, mineral insulation with ventilation, and an exterior layer of silvery KalZip. The high reflectivity and ventilation result in minimal heating of the structure and low temperature fluctuations within the living spaces. The gable and longitudinal sides are constructed using the same prefabricated timber frame elements and floor-to-ceiling windows, creating the appearance of a large, homogeneous, and continuous exterior skin.

The design prioritizes maximum flexibility in floor plans and building technology. All future modifications can be carried out by the client’s technical staff.

ConcreteHybridLivingSteelWood

Siteplan
Section
View

Data

Completion

1999

Address

An den Stapeläckern
59192 Bergkamen
Germany

Client

Ruhr-Lippe-Wohnungsgesellschaft mbH Dortmund

Section

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Plus Endoprothetik

Marl

The new building "Plus Endoprosthetics, Medical Technology" is designed as a double-wing structure. All offices and high-quality workspaces are oriented to the north side, while all storage and laboratory spaces are situated on the south side of the building.

The three-story building block and the 1-2 story hall are presented as a cohesive unit. They share a central main access point and create a compact exterior appearance. The halls have a cubic shape, and this favorable ratio between surface area and volume ensures a good energy balance.

The primary structure of the building block consists of steel/wood composite walls and prestressed hollow-core concrete slabs. Structural stabilization is provided by central cores. The primary structure of the hall areas is formed by steel columns, supporting glulam beams in the primary direction and trapezoidal sheets in the secondary direction. The stabilization is achieved through external diagonal braces made of round steel.

Prefabricated components made of steel, wood, and aluminum ensured a short construction time due to their high degree of prefabrication.

The facade is designed as a simple post-and-beam construction. It features double glazing and is equipped with external sun protection.

HybridOfficeSteelWood

Siteplan

Data

Completion

1999

Address

Mainstraße 2
45768 Marl
Germany

Client

Plus Orthopedics AG 

Section
Section

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