Conversion and Modernisation of a Two-Family House.
A residential building from 1936 in the north of Berlin was carefully converted and energetically upgraded. Without altering its overall volume, the house was externally insulated, equipped with underfloor heating, and supplied by a ground-source heat pump supported by a photovoltaic system on the roof.
Beyond improving energy performance, the project focused on redefining the quality of the interior spaces. On the ground floor, the former cellular layout was opened up through two large wall openings and the removal of the original kitchen wall. The heart of the house is now a spacious eat-in kitchen, connected to the living room and study by generous sliding doors. This creates a continuous sequence of spaces stretching from the front garden to the rear garden, replacing the previously fragmented plan. Sliding doors further connect the kitchen seamlessly to the outdoor terrace.
Due to limited storage in the stairwell entrance, an additional opening was introduced to accommodate a walk-in wardrobe serving as a cloakroom.
The upper floor largely retains its original compartmentalised structure, housing three bedrooms as well as a second study and guest room. By repositioning a lightweight partition wall, a compact en-suite bathroom and wardrobe were added to the parents’ bedroom.
Both floor plans were designed with long-term flexibility in mind: while currently providing ample space for a large family with three children, the house can later be easily divided into two independent apartments.
On the street-facing south façade, the historic three-pane window subdivision was reinstated. On the garden side, a window opening was significantly enlarged to form a generous, fixed-glazed seating niche, strengthening the visual connection to the garden.
Custom-built furniture defines the newly created living spaces. In the study, a full-height shelving wall integrates a cosy seating area by the new window opening. In the kitchen, existing cabinets belonging to the clients were reused and complemented by new full-height units and a kitchen island. Light beige original fronts were paired with new birch veneer elements—similar in colour but distinct in texture—creating a subtle visual and tactile tension.
The deliberate interplay of old and new elements, combined with a careful material strategy, results in a sustainable and refined interior. During the initial demolition works, multiple layers from different periods were revealed, forming a material collage that reflects decades of craftsmanship and DIY interventions. Peeling back these layers became a small journey through the building’s architectural history.
This project was realised in partnership by transstruktura and Studio Singer.
