Architecture of residential building in Weissensee-Berlin is the eighth article on projects from practice. I have illustrated in the previous article the urban design and planning of the co-housing of the former historical context community of Weissensse. The land is publicly owned land purchased for redevelopment and maintains the local cultural and heritage character. The old building, the town hall renovated from the plot, kept its German classical style and community local character. The four additional buildings of residential function surrounded the old building and the open green space created by the urban designer and planner. The green open space and urban space combined connect areas and residential buildings to create a sustainable walkability character. The residential buildings planned and designed were a successful project towards affordable housing and sustainable development in the Weissensee quarter in the borough of Pankow in Berlin, Germany, which takes its name from the small lake Weiber See (white lake) within it. Weissensee is one of the most peaceful and quiet districts in Berlin. The area surrounding the lake of Weissensee is characterized by historical architecture, many places of interest, city parks, lakes, and other activities1.
This article is focused on the building C of the urban design and planning project completed in 2012. See Figure 1 the external photo of the building from the landscape area.
The external form of the building’s simple modern architectural design focuses on several factors. First, the building sits in an environment-friendly plot consisting of direct connection to other buildings through external space, walkways, and green areas. See Figure 2 photo shows the external residential building architecture sitting in the plot.
Second, the building architecture is based on human comfort and safety. All the buildings in this urban development including building C are supplied by decentralized heat and power station building. All external windows and balcony vitrines are triple-glazed type. The external louvers and sunscreens keep the internal spaces clear from damaging sun rays and give a path for light to enter space freely. Internal plaster is from a mineral base, and non-toxic paint and finishes. See Figure 3, 4 of the internal spaces of the reading library, entrances, and terrace balcony.
Third, the firms that designed the building’s architecture and internal spaces designed it to be friendly to handicapped people and children.
Fourth, the Residential Building C architecture follows the modern style of architecture and the local German context. Modern architecture principles include the open plan system. The firms developed the architecture of the building plans to fit changing needs and to adapt to change. The building is a ground plus three upper floors. Each floor is composed of two large apartments in area 110-185 M2. All flats on all floors have access to external space and view from three sides. See Figures 5, 6, and 7 the ground floor plan, the first-floor plan, and the second-floor plan. As shown in the plans of the building the floors are typically functional design but small variation in some spaces makes the construction easy, simple, fast, and economical because of a typical structural system.
Fifth, all the buildings in this urban design and planning project and this specific building C follow the modern architecture principle of having open strip view windows. Adding to that the strip terrace balconies for all flats from all sides. In recent years sustainable development principles have emphasized increasing the exposure of internal spaces to natural light for health purposes and to decrease the electricity demand. Reducing electrical consumption is one of the main principles of sustainable development. The residential building C in this urban design development is similar to all the other buildings in terms of these five principles.
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