Source: © Tobias Wootton

Figure 1 

Source: © David von Becker

Figure 2 

Wohnregal is a 6-story building that contains residential spaces with work studios. It was built using standardized precast concrete elements that are generally used in the construction of industrial sheds: pillars, beams, and double-T beams. The use of this serialized construction system responds to two apparently contradictory challenges of Berlin’s residential market. On the one hand, industrial prefabrication offers benefits such as low cost and reduced construction deadlines (less than 1,500 euros m2 and 6 weeks to complete the heavy construction of the 6 floors) that help to face the rise in home construction costs. On the other hand, it counteracts the belief that serialization automatically implies a standardization of the habitable unit; the Wohnregal building offers a wide range of different work/residential spaces, apt to cater to the diversity of new ways of urban life.

Source: © David von Becker

Figure 3 

Figura 4 Site plan 

The precast concrete structure - with its double-T beams, which cover a large span - facilitates that variety, offering a free space of approximately 13 meters between the two facades without the need for any structural element inside. All the interior finishes were dry, made individually on each level, considering only the two installation ducts running through the entire building.

Figure 5 First floor plan 

Figure 6 Upper floors plans 

A curtain wall made up of large sliding windows is used as a facade to the west and east of the building. This allows the interior to open up to its surroundings during the summer months, turning the living space into a loggia. Through these technical resources, climate conditioning is avoided.

Figure 7 North elevation 

Figure 8 East elevation 

The Wohnregal is characterized by the clear hierarchy between the precast reinforced concrete structure and the conventional construction of partition walls with a galvanized steel structure and plasterboard covering, which offers a high degree of resistance in the long term. Future changes in use, innovations in technical installation systems, and changes in legal and regulatory requirements may apply within the supporting structure that extends from facade to facade with its double-T beams without intermediate supports.

Figure 9 Cross section 

Figure 10 Long section 

Source: © David von Becker

Figure 11 

Residential spaces adapt to the diverse and changing ways of living and working in everyday life. Since March of this year, some of the residents (like many others) have had to quickly move their workplaces to their homes as a response to COVID-19.This integration was favored both by the layout and by the possibility of combining the rooms. The partial commercial use inserted in the project was registered in the legal structure by means of the building permit.

Source: © Tobias Wootton

Figure 12 

Wohnregal Building

Architects: FAR frohn&rojas, Marc Frohn, Mario Rojas

Contributors: Max Koch, Ulrike Vandenberghe, Lisa Behringer, Ruth Meigen, Martin Gjoleka, Felix Schöllhorn, Pan Hu, Julius Grün, Erik Tsurumaki, Katharina Wiedwald

Location: Waldenserstraße 25, 10551 Berlín, Alemania

Client: Privado / Private

Structural engineering: Ingenieurbüro Paasche

Construction: Montage&Rohbautechnology GmbH

Weather project: Joco

Electrical system: Zwerg

Lighting: FAR frohn&rojas

Energetic efficiency: Gerdes Hubert Ingenieurbüro

Risk prevention: Ingenieurbüro für Brandschutz

Construction system: Standardized precast concrete elements

Materials: Bare concrete, curtain wall and partitions with galvanized steel structure covered with plastered and painted drywall plates

Budget: US$ 1.700/ m²

Built area: 1.088 m²

Superficie de terreno / Site area: 328 m²

Project year: 2017-2018

Construction year: 2018-2019

Photography: David von Becker, Tobias Wootton

Model: FAR frohn&rojas

Source: © David von Becker

Figure 13