STUDIO VALE completed the renovation of a micro-apartment in a high-rise building in Berlin’s Hansaviertel, the centre of the 1957 International Building Exhibition, Interbau. The project draws on the neighbourhood’s experimental post-war architecture, combining mid-century references with compact contemporary living.

Reframing home

The apartment towers surrounding Tiergarten were originally conceived as compact urban homes for a growing population seeking a more independent and less conventional way of living. The renovation takes cues from this original vision, preserving the open layout while adapting the apartment to contemporary needs.

An escape in the heart of the city

Upon entering the apartment, the view is immediately drawn towards the oversized balcony windows overlooking Tiergarten. The full-width glazed façade fills the space with natural light throughout the day, making the compact interior feel larger and reinforcing the connection between the apartment and the surrounding park.

Compact functionality with a twist

A simple L-shaped kitchen defines one side of the room and incorporates a pivoting table. Depending on how it is positioned, the table transforms the kitchen from an L-shaped arrangement into a U-shaped unit. This flexible element supports different daily activities while maintaining open views towards the windows and creating a subtle distinction between the social and relaxation areas.

Cork and the mid-century

Cork flooring establishes a warm and continuous material base throughout the main living space and kitchen. Frequently used in mid-century interiors, cork provides thermal and acoustic insulation while adding comfort underfoot. Its irregular natural pattern also allows scratches, dents and signs of everyday use to blend gracefully into the material over time.

Seamless simplicity

At the entrance, a mirror and console create a familiar domestic setting. Opposite them, a slatted timber wall integrates a bench and forms the apartment’s only physical suggestion of a boundary between the entrance and sleeping area.

In such a compact and open space, maintaining visual calm was fundamental. Storage and functional elements were integrated discreetly to minimise visual noise and preserve the clarity of the layout. In the bathroom, deep-green Marazzi tiles reflect the light and introduce colour, depth and a sense of sophistication to the apartment’s most intimate space.