Situated directly on the Dahme River in Grünau, a district of Köpenick, the 52° Nord neighbourhood stands out for its diverse architecture, verdant green spaces, and waterfront location. Last year, it welcomed Buwog Helling Hof—a new residential complex on Regattastraße designed and developed by Aukett + Heese Architekten Generalplaner, the same architects behind the equally acclaimed "Haus an der Dahme." "The site contained an old shipyard building, and we saw an opportunity to preserve it and make it the centerpiece of our design concept," explains architect Andrew Jones. Today, this charming brick structure—originally built as part of a brewery, later repurposed as a boat storage facility—houses four residential lofts.

Three sophisticated five-storey residential buildings rise around this historic core, each meeting the KfW 55 energy efficiency standard. The result is a generous inner courtyard—brimming with varied plantings, tree islands, wildflower meadows, and native grasses—that naturally becomes a gathering place. Wooden play structures and hammocks invite families to linger. The development comprises 109 owner-occupied residences ranging from two to six rooms, designed for both singles and families alike. With more than half of the units featuring accessible design, seniors are welcome too. Fifty-nine parking spaces are distributed across two basement car parks beneath the new buildings. Two structures connect via a raised platform, while the third stands independently, oriented toward the river. Nearly every apartment enjoys underfloor heating and private outdoor space—terraces, balconies, or gardens. Street-facing facades feature refined brickwork; courtyard-facing elevations showcase warm wooden cladding that complements the surrounding landscape. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows flood interiors with natural light. The riverside building includes distinctive bay windows perfect for quiet moments overlooking the water. The Regattastraße buildings feature steeply pitched mansard roofs, while their courtyard sides step back at the fourth floor, creating generous roof terraces. The riverfront house caps it all with an extensively green-roofed mansard, its cutout sections doubling as additional outdoor terraces.

www.aukett-heese.de

Photography:
Nils Koenning
www.nilskoenning.com

(Published in CUBE Berlin 03|25)