Germany, Berlin

One building, three roofs

since 1905

since 1945

since 1995

The penthouse floor, destroyed by fire, was rebuilt within the old profile, but with a new interior, in a new formal language – a re-interpretation rather than a reconstruction. Where there were once two service apartments, a laundry and drying attic, an expansive home now takes up the full height of ten meters, with a granny flat on part of the lower level, enabling flexible uses. After some hesitation, the preservation authorities accepted detailed construction plans and agreed to the change in appearance. Originally designed by a master mason, the old building’s Germanic shape was given a major facelift that now makes a strong corner reference along the diagonal line of a triangular plaza.