Revitalization Measures for a Historic High-Rise in Berlin

These durable concrete elements maximize the building's service life while simultaneously modernizing its exterior with an architecturally sophisticated design.

The historic office building, housing the Senate Department for Urban Development, Building, and Housing on Württembergische Straße, underwent extensive renovation. The focus was on resource-efficient construction methods and extending the life of the aging structure. The facade renovation utilized 3D glassfibre reinforced concrete elements from Rieder. The suspended components are material-true and exude timeless appeal, complementing the building's protected status. This resulted in an elegant balance between heritage preservation and modern architecture. By reusing the existing structure, the original design was preserved, grey energy conserved, and no additional land was sealed.

Kahlfeldt Architects met the client’s requirements - BIM Berliner Immobilienmanagement -through comprehensive building planning that considered future operational and maintenance costs, thorough remediation of hazardous materials, and the goal of achieving silver certification for sustainable building practices while adhering to heritage guidelines.

"The Württembergische Straße 6, like many mid-century buildings, had its share of surprises, some of which only came to light during construction. Beyond pollutants and structural damage, the main challenge was reconciling the heritage authorities’ requirements with the needs of a modern office building," explained Alin Schwarzkopf, project manager at Kahlfeldt Architects.