Building a contemporary residence that harmonizes with a protected Wilhelminian-era neighborhood demands sensitivity and precision. The comparison to surgery is apt: one misstep in design can irreversibly damage a historic ensemble. &Mica – formerly Michel's Architectural Office – has executed this delicate feat masterfully on Kaiser-Friedrich-Straße. The new multi-story residential building's front section slots into the seemingly modest gap between numbers 24 and 26 with such restraint it might have always belonged there. Yet it speaks in a cleaner, more refined architectural language than its neighbors.

The rear courtyard accommodates an intricate rear structure that more than triples the building's volume. Rather than simply filling voids, this segmented mass enhances urban density through careful subdivision. The seven-story structure has been ingeniously fitted into the site, creating three distinct courtyards that extend the public realm. To maximize daylight penetration within the confined space, the facades employ generous glazing. Prefabricated components—including ready-to-assemble balconies—accelerated construction without compromising quality.

While historic courtyards once provided spacious respite, today's housing shortage demanded a different balance: creating apartments while preserving spatial dignity. Within approximately 8,900 m² gross floor area—including the three new courtyards—roughly 5,000 m² of living space emerged. Apartments range from 35 to 125 m². The top floor hosts generous penthouses with private roof terraces, while ground-floor units open directly to the courtyard. Private gardens and shared green spaces flow together through generous passageways. Loggias and balcony gardens invite personalized planting. Verdant elements become essential to the quality of life here. Steel railings in Cologne bridge green amplify the visual impression of a fully verdant facade.

www.undmica.de

Photography Credits:

Büro Schramm für Gestaltung, Luca Abbiento & Mica

(Published in CUBE Berlin 03|22)