“the urban leftover”open corner situations in the downtown area of berlin

Content

a synapsis of the berlin block and thephenomenon of the open corner

open corner condition in berlin

the design approachreclaiming “urban leftover”

context

site

building

elevationcourtyard & floorplanlarge door & sectionsplit level &sectionsetback

apartment

interior view of a roomsplit level - volume I & IIdetailed floorplaninteriror rendering

facade

principle of assemblywall sectionhorizontal louververtical louver

dualism

conclusion

acknowledgements

vita

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07

09

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History

A synapsis of the Berlin Blockand the phenomenon of theopen corner:

In the 18th century Berlin’s urban lay-out was dominated by a block-grid,the so-called “Gruenderzeitblock”.The functional characteristic of thisBlock was a the mix of dwellings andcommercial uses.

During the period of industrializationat the beginning of the last century,many people migrated to the urbansetting of Berlin. The high demand forplaces to live required that space wasused as efficiently as possible. An ex-tremely high density was reached byorganizing the block in sequences ofup to nine courtyards in a row.

In the beginning of the 19th century,the “IV Construction Regulation Plan”(“Bauordnung”) and “General ZoningPlan” (“Bebauungsplan”) tried to regu-late the construction boom in Berlin.The maximum height of buildings wasthen limited by the width of the streetto a maximum of 22m (66 feet) space.The aspects of light and sun becameimportant only in apartments facingthe street, typically occupied by up-per income families. Regulations forthe lower quality courtyard apart-ments were less concerned with sani-tary issues but primarily fire regulations.

effecting the “open corner” in Berlin

Typical courtyard condition in a“Gruenderzeitblock” in Berlin

Picture of a “Garden-city” idea

04

the modern movementHistory

After the First World War new ideas inart, architecture, and urbanismemerged in Europe. In Berlin for ex-ample, large scale projects were de-veloped, based on a new socialaesthetic relieved from tradition.A new type of dwelling typologywas proclaimed, rejecting thehistorical block structure and“Mietskaserne” portaying the bolcksas a bleak and inhuman environmentwith substandart living conditions.

One new of the types of urban hous-ing favored a linear arrangement“Zeile”. Through its linearity maximiza-tion of light, sun and air and the es-tablishment of public green spacespromised a significant improvementover the traditional block structure.

Combined with indoor plumbing,each apartment received the sameamount of daylight, setting com-pletely new standards of living. Theseearly projects, with high architecturalstandards, offered radical innovationsfor their time, which the later rapidlyconstructed postwar housing projects-although similar in their premise-rarely could accomplish.

After World War II, Berlin was almostcompletely destroyed, and recon-struction of the city’s infrastructurewas necessary. One year after thewar, the first reconstruction plan wasdeveloped under the direction of Ar-chitect Hans Scharoun. He based theproject on the modern ideas devel-oped in the 1920ies combined withthe recommendations of the “Con-gress Internationaux d’ ArchitectureModern“(CIAM), which focused onnew strategies of urban and socialdevelopment.

In Berlin, the urban situation wasstrongly characterized by the politicalseparation of the city and the attemptto deny visual associations with recenthistory. This new urban ideal refusedthe traditional block structure. Severalurban competitions took place to findnew strategies for the reconstructionof the city.

City Ideal of Hilbersheimer

Hufeisensiedlung by BrunoTaut, Berlin

05

Common to these proposalswas to reduce the allowed per-centage of lot coverage, sothat more open space wasprovided. No distinction wasmade between the lots follow-ing the street and the lots lo-cated at a corner position. Thisundifferentiated rule and com-bined with fact of constructingnew linear building types is re-sponsible for many “open cor-ner” conditions in Berlin. In ad-dition to this rule, Mrs.Klegin agovernment official in thebuilding administration of Ber-lin, enforced this law strictly andpromoted the “open corner”condition on which this projectis focussed.

The previous activities can notbe isolated from the fact thatduring the war, buildings lo-cated at intersections werethe most damaged due to thepressure waves of bomb explo-sions. As buildings along in thestreet were reconstructed, thecorner often remained empty.The corner lots, therefore, be-came the starting point for the“Zeile”. The old“Gruenderzeitblocks” which re-mained were considered tem-porary, to be substituted by the“Zeile” in the future.

The “Zeilen” constructed duringthe 1950s became dwellingsonly, no longer evincing func-tional diversity in the differen-tiation of the design of the el-evation. The entrance was lo-cated on the back side, andthe courtyard was used as aparking lot. The floor plans andceiling heights were reduced

phenomenon “urban leftover”

Urban “Zeilen” proposal

Picture before World War

Same corner situation

History

06

Selected “open corner”conditions in Schoenebergand Wilmersdorf indicatingtheir frequent presence inthe parts of the former WestBerlin.

Open corners in Berlinselected open corner conditions in downtown Berlin near the project site

Uhland Street

Babelsberger Street / Badensche Street

Berliner Street / Babelsberger Street

Berchtesgardener Street / Apostel Paulus Weg

Guenzel Street / Jenaer Street

Bamberger Street / Regensburger Street

Detmolder Street / Weimarsche Street

SITE

07

Open corners in Berlinexample of some “open corner” conditions in downtown

Schimijan Street

Hedwig Street / Frege Street Haupt Street / Frege Street

Holsteinsche Street / Feuerbach Street

Feuerbach Street / Koerner Street

Bruchsaler Street / Durlacher Street

Wex Street / Bruchsaler Street

Prinzregenten Street / Durlacher Street

Bundesallee / Wilhelmsaue

Prinzregenten Street / Waghaeusler Street

Grunewald Street / Berchtesgardener Street

Fasanen Street / Pariser Street

Hohenzollner Damm / Fasanen Street

Gneisenau Street / Zossener Street

08

Reclaiming “UrbanLeftover” ?

The situation of the “Urban Left-over” is evident in over 100 lo-cations in the former West Ber-lin. These open corner conditionscan be found especially inSchoeneberg, Tiergarten andCharlottenburg. The radical ur-ban concepts under which theZeile was erected were never re-alized completely. This designproject demonstrates differentideas for dealing with this left-over today. Recent discussionshave placed blame on the ar-chitecture of the 1950s regard-ing its inappropriate urban quali-ties. A typical “solution” wouldbe to demolish the “Zeile” andrevert to a new building in theoutlines prior to World War II.

early study model “working with planes & small volumes”

09

This project operates with thefollowing premise:

Both typologies, the Block andthe Zeile should be respected.The aim is not to promote theBlock or the “Zeile”, but to pre-serve the essential qualities ofboth types, and revive the com-pelling ideas of CongresInternationaux d’ArchitectureModerne (CIAM), namely todesign dwellings with sameamonts of sun and natural light,air and green areas. In additionthe project seeks to embracethe contradiction of preservingthe open corner, respectingthe city’s complex historical lay-ers, and at the same time togrant the left over a new con-temporary urban identity.

The Design Approach

10

right: study models of various preliminary design ideas

Photographic documenta-tion of the neighborhood ofthe project site, hinting theatmosphere and context inwhich the proposed projectis located.

Contextthe surrounding and situation

11

grunewald street / gleditsch street

12

Site

historic

proposed project

the site today

elevation sketch of Volume I & II

model from the street side

the development of the site during the past hundred years

model from the back side

13

the open corner (street elevation)the courtyard toady

Site & Volumesite of the proposed project, grunewald street / gleditsch street

the open corner

elevation sketch of Volume I & II

A

B

A A A A A

B B B B B B B B B B B

A

A

A

B

B

B

B

B

B

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This photmontage gives anidea of the public approchto the new defined urbansituation and the proposedbuilding on the corner lot.

Street elevation

15

public approch

16

street elevation (unfolded) of the corner situation

Perspectival Lines:

Sketches indicate the elevationlines of the new building in relation tothe existing surrounding buildings.

Buildingstreet elevation and lines of elevation

17

elevation courtyardadjacent elevations

Buildingcourtyard and elevation

Sketch of the courtyard idea:

The semipublic courtyard withspace for small businesses

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Photomontage of thesemipublic courtyard il-lustrating the connec-tion to the streetthrough the “largedoor” - entrance axis -.

The Atmosphere of the courtyard

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semi public

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Along the passage small il-luminated showroom win-dows are guiding into thesemipublic courtyard.The courtyard is designedwith various levels todifferentiate the spaceand its use. This conditionsalso allows il luminationand circulation ofair to the underground parking garage.

Courtyard

21

Buildingcourtyard and floorplan

floorplan underground parking & cellar section C: Volume I

floorplan first floor

A

B

C

D

EF 22

This design proposes twomajor volumes with differ-ent treatments. Theinterlocking space createsa large door to the court-yard. This door is the en-trance to the Zeile andcourtyard. Also, it is themain entrance to the newbuilding, and it houses thevertical circulation device.

Large Door

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Buildingthe large door - entrance to the old and new buildings

Section E: Volume I & II

typical floor plan level 1-4

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Split Level

The project offers twelvetwo and three roomapartments with flowingspaces. All units areorganized in a split levelsystem. The different levelorganization offers variousconnection of rooms andallows different qualitiesof spacial conditions.

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BOOKS

BOOKS

Buildingthe split level - the relation of the levels

Section A: Volume II -apartment split level and courtyard with underground parking

Section D: Volume ISection B: Staircase, Courtyard and underground parking

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Setback

In front of the Zeile thesetback is used to separatethe apartments on streetlevel and give thema space of privacy.In the remaining partsof the project, spaceson street level containcommercial areas, withdwelling units above.

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Buildingthe setback from the street and the relation to the existing buildings

BOOKS

section F: Setback, existing building and courtyard with underground parking

a) level difference, low railing

a)

b)

c)

d)b) level difference, high railing - creating a terrace in front of the apartments

c) level difference and bench

c) integration of planters

28

Illustration of the quali-ties of the interior of anapartment. The verticallouvers fram views to thesurrounding buildings.

The Interior of an Apartment

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private

30

2 3 4 5

Split-levelcirculation possibilities in volume I and volume II of the building

window type I&II -level III corner window -level III window III -level I split level - level I & II

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4

5

Apartment type B

Apartment type A

“Large door” entrance to theexisting zeile and the newbuilding

Staircase

Elevator

level III

level II

level II

level I

2

3

1

window I “diagonal corner”

Floorplantypical floorplan of volume I and II

window II vertical louver

floor window III

corner window Idiagonal view

bed room (level III)

bathroom (level III)

closet

living room (level II)

kitchen (leve lII)

“large door”

entrance to courtyard and“Zeile” , vertical circulationdevice for the proposedproject

bed room (level II)

dining room (level I)

kitchen (level I)

closet (level I)

bath room (level II)

living room (level II)

chase for services

balcony

window II - “ the vertical louver” window III - “ the floor”

corner window

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Apartment

Interior rendering ofan apartment

33

principle of panel positioning on elevation

Facadeprinciple of elevation assembly

35

panel position at corner panel corner isometric

bottum panel anchor

top panel anchor

principle of anchoringthe panels

interior plaster

10” concrete loadbearing wall4” rigit insulationproof water membrane

2” air cirrculation gap

bottum panel anchor(load carryng device,anchor-plate freeadjustble, wedgemechanism)

top panel achor(preventing tip over ofpanel,free adjustable)

Facadewall section and louver idea

top coping panel - cover

2” air circulation gap

4” rigid insulation

proof water membran

typical concrete panel

core material

top panel anchor

bottum panel anchor

horizontal louver

shutter window - buffer zone(translucent glass white)

sliding room hight windows

- noise reduction- visual separation- reduction of pollution- climatic buffer

bottom panel

connection of clddingpanel to street level

space inbetween “balcony”:

- corregated metal fixed with clips- air circulation- insulation (ext.)- L-profiles- proof water membrane

first floor

3rd floor

4th floor

5th floor

10” concreteload bearing wall

36

The louver-panel is usedhorizontally in the cornervolume I at the edgeonly, creating a balconyspace. The horizontal lineof the window is distortedto manipulate the insideoutside perspective of theopening. The opening ap-pears as a big volume pen-etrating the living room.

“Horizontal Louver”

37

Facade

metal cover and L-profile fastners

louver panel - balustrade

upper louver panel (precast)

insulation, airgap

topping slab

hardwood flooring

seperation layer

double insulated glasswoodframe sliding windows

shutter panel

panel anchor

seperation layer

loadbearing concrete slab

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the horizontal louver

The louver-panel is used ver-tically in volume I & II ofthe project controllingthe transparency of theelevation depending onthe viewer position fromthe street as well controlling the view from the insideto the outside. The space inbetween the loadbearing structure and thepanel becomes a balcony.

“Vertical Louver”

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Facade the vertical louver

thermally separatedconcrete slab

topping slab

hardwood flooring

seperation layer

double insulated glasswoodframe sliding windows

balcony space

vertical precast louver

seperation layer

loadbearing concrete slab

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CORNER

the point or place where lines orsurfaces join and form an angle

any of the angles formedat a street intersection

place where converging sides,edges, streets, etc, meet

recess formed by meeting of twointernal sides of a room

The importance of the urbancorner condition is also emphasizedin side the rooms by providingan stripwindow openingwith a balcony space.

The horizontal window is used tomanipulate the perspective of theopening. With this manipulation anillusion of a volume penetrating theliving room is created.This effects supported bywhite semitransparent glassshutter elements integrated in theoutside construction of theconcrete elevation panel.

Dualism

41

Conclusion

The Zeile:

wrapping facades are creating twovolumes

the volume is creating a head ofthe Zeile

interlocking volumes creating anopening

a door to existing and to the newbuilding

as well

an inviting access to the courtyard.

The Block:

redefining the corner by introducinga cornerstone,

giving an identity to the context

and

serving as a starting point for theblock.

As an embodiment of time and its re-spective culture, the physical pres-ence of architecture has traditionallybeen an excellent source for the fur-ther development of our environ-ments. In this proposal, an attempt ismade to respect two almost contra-dictory forms of urban housing, theBlock and the Zeile, which are simul-taneously present and overlaid at thissite in Berlin. Three primary conditions,the general historical context, thebuilding volumes, and the facademodularity are examined to assist inthe development of new architec-tural corner which retains essentialqualities of both Block and Zeile.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to dedicate thiswork to my parents whosupported me always on myway in life and education.

Special thanks to Mrs. Myriam Menzel,Prof. Raimund Fein and Prof. KarlPlastrotmann from the FHLausitz, Uni-versity of Applied Sience, Germany -who were supporting my work the lastyears. I would also like to thank theFulbright Commission and the VirginiaPolytechnic Institute and State Univer-sity, the Department of Architectureand my thesis committee Prof. WilliamGalloway, Prof. William Brown andProf. Heinrich Schnoedt who offeredme the great possibility to study in theirMaster of Architecture program.

Thanks to all friends and to theMarch2 Studio for the nicetimes we spent workingtogether in the past years. 43

Vita

98/99 T.R. Hamzah&Yeang Sdn.Bhd. ArchitectsKuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Christian KIENAPFEL

08/99 Graduate School at Virginia PolytechnicInstitute and State UniversityDepartment of ArchitectureScholarship of the “Fulbright Commission”,USA - Germany

06/99 Master Degree in Archiecture at FHLausitzUniversity of Applied Science, Germany

05/01 Master of Architecture

97/98 Gregotti Associati InternationalMilan, Italy

94/95 Betow ArchitectsBerlin, Germany

2001 International Architectural EducationalExchange -IAEE WorkshopCalifornia State Polytechnic University, USA

2000 International Workshop (USA-Germany) atVirginia Poltytech Institute, USA

1998 International Architecture Workshop (Spain-Germany) at FHLausitz University of AppliedScience, Germany

1996 International Architecture Workshop (Spain--Poland - Italy - Germany) at FHLausitzUniversity of Applied Science, Germany

2001 Graduate Faculty Award for Excellence inArchitecture, the Department of Architecture,Virginia Tech

2001 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society1999 Fulbright Commission Scholarship1998 First Prize from the German State of

Brandenburg, BDA Association of GermanArchitects

1998 Carl-Duisberg-Society Scholarship, Germany1997 Leonardo Scholarship, European Community

education

experience

workshops

awards

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1998 IKEA-Foundation Research Scholarship