On a park-like property in Berlin - Pankow, between listed villas
turn of the century, a sober and functional extension from the 90s
and large old trees that have accompanied the history of this historic place,
is an ideal location for another, new dormitory of the SKF (Social Service
katholischer Frauen Berlin e.V.).
On four floors, 22 residents and just as many day guests with intellectual disabilities find and physical disability.
A massive, green-plastered plinth forms the basis for a wooden structure, crowned by a wide cantilevered roof. Self-determined living is realized here: Assisted and assisted if necessary, each resident has his or her own room with an associated bathroom, always two of these units will have a kitchen-living room and their own balcony.
The Housing Participation Act regulates the additional need for special premises:
Snozel room, common room with kitchen, care bathrooms, administration area and many other things
Ancillary rooms are distributed on the residential floors.
The house extends longitudinally from north to south. 37 m long and 14 or 16 m wide. With its narrow side and proportions, it fits well between the villa and the neighboring house.
One entrance for the residents is located in the middle, accessed from the east, another Entrance for the day employment area in the middle west.
The two separate entrances are used for equalization and are important for orientation: The two divisions will be operated and financed separately, and the division will also be operated in the Ground floor can only be used during the day.
The address for the house is in the south on Nordendstraße, where there are also two gates in the open old wall. If you go up the wheelchair-accessible paths, you approach The green, roughly plastered plinth, protected by the widely cantilevered roof.
Cut into a projection, the outer dress becomes haptic here: shiny green Tiles accentuate the entrance. Not only the entrance areas, the entire ground floor is stone, solid, a solid base. terrazzo slabs on the floor and a green-and-white pattern on the walls. And then you enter the central hallway: a open distribution room, the core, the heart of the house, a generous space instead of a narrow Hallway.
The upper floors are built of wood, load-bearing walls and ceilings of solid
Glulam, large elements, thickly packed in mineral insulation, weather-protected
clad in red-glazed boards, rough-sawn. Prefabricated including windows and
The elements came to Berlin from Lower Saxony. Only the oblique
were installed on site. They cover the
joints, absorb the sun protection and give the house a visibly built,
tangible dress. The aprons are made of corrugated cement and their end is made of sheet metal
Fire barriers.
All materials used are certified, finished industrial products. The red of the wood,
of the sheet metal and the corrugated sheets are serial, as are the dimensions. No custom-made products.
Two stairwells guarantee optimal safety in an emergency. The entire house is
barrier-free and wheelchair accessible. All the necessary requirements were met with the greatest
Attention required: wheelchair waiting areas in the stairwells, viewing heights in the
windows, high-contrast light switches and handles, handrails in the public
areas, glass cut-outs to the maximum extent, buttons and emergency call systems throughout the house.
The energy supply is provided by geothermal probes, PV systems supply electricity. The house is
Completely energy self-sufficient.
When the day guest is picked up again, a pavilion offers the waiting people protection from the rain and sun. Its four supports are the same as those that support the projections and recesses of the House at the entrances on the ground floor. In this way, the pavilion and the house complete the ensemble in the park.
Text: Modersohn & Freiesleben
Photos: Sebastian Schels
