Living Levels

Living Levels
New construction of a residential high-rise
Address: Mühlenstraße 60, Berlin-Friedrichshain
Client: cic property & developement GmbH
GFA: approx. 8.700 sqm
Completion: August 2015
Architect: Sergei Tchoban, Tchoban Voss Architekten
Chief project architect: Philipp Bauer
Project management, building application: Karsten Waldschmidt
Team: Christoph Heimermann, Stephan Luda-Scharping, Kenan Ozan, Anja Schroth
Project controlling: TEWAC Projektentwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, Berlin
Landscape architects: KUULA B. Kusserow / U. Uphaus
Structural engineering: IB Glosch, Berlin
Building equipment: VTIB Frank Zabel, Berlin
Companies: A.M.M.A.R. (skeleton), Berlin; Assmann & Klasen + Dieringer Blechbearbeitung (façade)
Photographer: Roland Halbe

The area along the river Spree has from the historical point of view not much in common with the open and classic promenades in Paris or Rome. Although in the heart of Berlin, this shore area belonged to the least desirable parts of the city. Only a few years ago this hardly accessible, neglected area started turning into a liveliest spot in town, not only for inhabitants of Berlin but also for visitors from all over the world.
This multi-storey apartment building is a part of a recently built extension along the river bank. Due to its location at the head of the former Brommy-bridge, this white solitary building is directly on the water overlooking the Spree promenade. The building is formed out of sculptural elements whose manifold functions appear to be visibly stacked.
The relief-like details, which are visible from all angles, provide a visual attraction with the variation from hollow volumes to cantilevers. Being set on a concrete pedestal, which is clad with metal panels, the facade of the tower is emphasized by its generously glazed surface. The transition between the public and the private area is rather smooth including a public café at the Spree-promenade. Children playgrounds are located on the roof of the 1st floor as well as on the terrace along the boardwalk. The two-story shaped entrance hall is also used as a gallery.
The project contains 56 spacious apartments of various sizes and 4 commercial units. Due to the rotationally symmetric arrangement each apartment has its own private outdoor area with a view of two directions. Based on the reinforced concrete skeleton construction, flexible layouts of the floor plans (54 and 434 square meters) allow the inhabitants to design their apartments based on their own preferences. A significant part of the living conditions are the lavish balconies and terraces. The greened terraces are designed in the tradition of a vertical garden, beginning at the waterside and partially continuing along the tower.
The arrangement of the basement includes domestic service facilities, garbage, bicycle storage room and a warehouse. The development of the structure takes place through a double lift facility – one of them is functioning as a firefighters lift.