The areas along the Spree have little in common with the classic public promenades such as those in Paris or Rome. For decades, these riverside areas in the center of Berlin, mainly used commercially, were among the most unattractive areas of the city. It was only a few years ago that this fallow, impassable border area – still a death strip zone in the GDR period – began to transform into one of the most popular urban attractions. Today, Berliners and visitors alike benefit from the newly gained quality of life at the East Side Gallery.
The white solitaire is located at the bridgehead of the former war-damaged Brommy Bridge and thus directly on the water. Sculpturally shaped, the residential tower lives from the rotation of the blocks layered on top of each other. Viewed from all points of view, the relief with its alternation between hollowed-out volume and cantilevers creates a visual moment of tension.
The 14-storey high-rise building with an area of 7,800 square metres rests on a base. While the base area is mainly equipped with sheet metal cladding, the tower façade stands out with generously glazed surfaces. The transition from outside to inside and thus from urban public to private is fluid: a public café with a terrace in front of it is located right in the threshold area, directly on the water. On the roof of the 1st floor and in the area of the terrace on the waterfront promenade, playgrounds for toddlers have been set up. The spacious two-storey entrance lobby is also used as a gallery.
In total, the tower has 56 residential units and one commercial unit. The structure allows each apartment its own protected outdoor area and provides a view in at least two directions. Due to the reinforced concrete skeleton construction, the floor plans with areas between 54 and 434 square meters are variable and allow individual expansion according to the wishes of the users. An important part of the quality of living is made up of the spacious balconies and terraces. The terraces are equipped with permanent greenery, which partially extends up the tower in the tradition of a vertical garden, starting with the greening of the riverbank.
Source: Tchoban Voss Architekten
Photos: Roland Halbe
