Amidst mature trees and listed villas in Berlin’s Pankow district stands Haus im Park: a building that houses a supported living program for people with disabilities, designed by Modersohn & Freiesleben for SKF Berlin e.V. (Catholic Women’s Social Service). The red and green building is made from prefabricated, standardised and natural materials, allowing easy and efficient assemblage while maintaining longevity. Large roof overhang, natural ventilation strategies and on-site renewable energy systems minimise operational impact while contributing to a calm and functional space that prioritises accessibility, efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Thoughtful, accessible design
The building forms part of a broader campus that includes the organisation’s headquarters, a youth services centre and additional residential facilities. Wheelchair-accessible paths from the street lead to two distinct entrances, one for residents and one for the daytime activity area, supporting clear wayfinding and reflecting the separation of functions on the ground floor. Inside, terrazzo flooring and a simple green-and-white wall pattern guide movement through a central hallway that connects communal and private areas.
Wayfinding extends to subtle tactile and visual cues. In the stairwells and floor transitions, contrasting tiles are used strategically to provide visual cues for residents. The first and last steps in a flight are marked with a darker tile, helping users perceive the beginning and end of the stairs. Similarly, floor tiles at corners, passageways and entrances are highlighted with contrasting colours to guide movement and orientation subtly. These interventions do not increase material costs but significantly improve legibility and independence for residents.
Spatial program
The ground floor houses employment and support services for residents who cannot participate in the open labour market, and is completed by covered outdoor spaces that merge with the natural surroundings. Above, three floors contain 32 apartments for supported living. Each residence has a private room with an en-suite bathroom positioned along the facade, maximising natural light and eliminating the need for mechanical ventilation in living areas. Two units share a kitchen-living room and a private balcony. Communal areas provide additional space for social interaction and relaxation.
Prefabricated, sustainable construction
The building is a timber hybrid. The ground floor and basement ar formed from precast concrete elements and sand-lime bricks, with the exterior completed in green plaster. The stairwells are made of reinforced concrete while the rest of the building is timber framed and clad in rough-sawn spruce plywood that was treated in the factory with KEIM Lignosil Color in red—eliminating the need for on-site painting.
Angled protective skirts cover the joints between floors. Made of corrugated cement with sheet metal edges, these provide sun and weather protection, fire resistance, and help slow the aging of the timber. A wide overhanging CLT roof shelters the entire structure, while 200mm thick mineral wool insulation ensures high thermal performance. Inside, the ceilings an walls of the upper floors are made from CLT, which brings a calm and natural pattern to the space. These prefab modules have been treated with a Lignosil UVM oil that prevents yellowing and allows for easy cleaning.
All major elements, including windows and wall panels, were prefabricated off-site in standardised dimensions and finishes, with the protective skirts installed on site according to specification. This approach allowed the building to be assembled efficiently and quickly, lowering production costs and increasing sustainability by reducing material waste.
Powered by renewables
Haus im Park uses renewable energy systems for its operational energy supply: heat is provided by geothermal probes connected to heat pump technology, and electricity is generated on‑site by photovoltaic panels. At peak performance, the building is entirely energy self‑sufficient, meaning its own renewable systems can meet its heating and electrical demand without external supply.
