Am Molkenmarkt B/1 Berlin

In its location, the building takes on a pivotal role. It mediates between the representative solitary buildings and large-scale urban spaces on the one hand, and the Nikolaiviertel district, which was already reconstructed on a small scale during the GDR era, on the other. The corner building, visible from afar along the curved street, forms a respectful yet self-assured high point opposite the Red City Hall, while the colonnade in front frames the urban space and transforms it into a threshold space leading inward.

The deep relief of the natural stone façade reflects the urban materiality. Subtle differences in the surface refer to the ambivalence between small-scale overlays and coherent urban building blocks. Raw aluminum defines the transition between stone and openings. The entrances from the public space form niches between the hustle and bustle and the inner world. The transparent commercial units are thus self-sufficient yet firmly anchored in the city. To create an address for the upper floors, the stone base is extended inwards. The precise sequence of rooms, consisting of an entrance hall, foyer, and visible staircase, heralds the central, daylight-filled vertical access. The changing view of the city courtyard gives each unit a representative and recognizable welcoming gesture.

A clear, convertible structure allows for large and small units of use. Offices connected internally across several floors can be accommodated, as can small cells or cultural programs. The result is a building that respects historical standards while enabling new urban uses.