Two new residential buildings have been constructed on opposite sites along Friedlander Straße at the Adlershof cemetery, commissioned by the Berolina eG housing cooperative. These structures thoughtfully infill existing gaps in the urban fabric, completing a previously fragmented streetscape. Through a cohesive architectural language, the new buildings extend the existing row typology while establishing a distinctive gateway presence on Friedlander Straße. Both sites, formerly occupied by single-storey garage structures, were cleared to enable this development.

The five-storey northern structure anchors the existing row as a corner element, seamlessly integrating into the urban context. With 19 residential units, its corner balconies extend views toward the surrounding landscape. The building marks a significant threshold—connecting the streetscape to the open grounds of the Köllnische Heide cemetery beyond.

The southern building completes the street edge between existing structures and establishes an intimate urban plaza with integrated seating. At four storeys, it responds proportionally to the adjacent building. Toward the interior block, the western portion thoughtfully steps down to three storeys, respecting the massing of neighboring freestanding volumes. A fifth storey emphasizes the corner condition, echoing the height of its northern counterpart to create a unified "gateway" that articulates the quarter's entry point. All 19 residential entrances orient toward the newly created plaza.

Beyond the 32 residential units, the southern building's ground floor houses a shared community space for residents, alongside administrative offices for the Berolina housing cooperative.

www.dmsw.de

Photography:
Dawin Meckel
www.dawinmeckel.de

(Featured in CUBE Berlin 01|24)