A Lucky Break

When a drugstore becomes an architecture studio

In Berlin's Moabit district, at the corner of Stephanstraße and Rathenower Straße, there once stood a drugstore. When the chain shuttered in 2012, the space sat largely vacant for years, interrupted only by brief temporary tenants. Fast forward to 2019: a team of architects spotted the empty storefront and saw an opportunity. With 180 m² of floor space, it was the perfect size. They moved in and transformed it into their new studio. The shop itself—a flat, bungalow-like structure nestled beneath a residential building—evokes Edward Hopper's iconic painting "Nighthawks" with its expansive display windows and partially tiled façade. The building dates back to the 1960s.

Architects Kirchberger & Wiegner Rohde signed the lease in October 2019 and moved in just three months later, after completing a comprehensive renovation and redesign. They divided the former sales floor into two zones: an entrance and meeting area, separated from the open studio space where the team can expand as needed. A floor-to-ceiling pivot door connects the two areas seamlessly. Steel-blue, forest-green, and mustard-yellow full-height curtains further define the space while absorbing sound during focused work. Along the expansive storefront, custom heating enclosures do double duty as display shelves for architectural models—inviting passersby to glimpse the creative work happening inside. Floor-to-ceiling shelving maintains order while keeping the main studio open and uncluttered. Black table islands provide generous work surfaces. A mezzanine room—once the market manager's office—now serves as a kitchenette and break room. Throughout the redesign, the architects carefully preserved the building's 1960s character within a contemporary, minimalist framework. The original terrazzo floor was restored, and the delicate façade was meticulously renovated. Light-grey walls, doors, and windows paired with white ceilings maximize natural light and provide a neutral backdrop for the black workstations and colored curtains. Track lighting and spotlights offer flexible illumination for both function and effect. All sanitary fixtures, electrical systems, and data cabling were replaced during renovation. The result: a forgotten retail space reborn as a sophisticated, contemporary studio.

www.kirchbergerundwiegnerrohde.de