A Private Refuge

Reimagining, restructuring and creating a sanctuary within a historic residential flat

It's a familiar scenario: the children have grown and moved out, yet the parents remain in a space far larger than they need. The side wing of this 220 m² historic Schöneberg apartment—once home to three children's rooms and two baths—required complete gutting and renovation. Elisabeth Müller's interior architecture firm was tasked with reimagining the 52 m² space. The owners, who maintain an active social and family life in the apartment's formal "public" areas, sought a serene private sanctuary within the side wing. Their requirements were substantial: a high-quality sleeping zone, a spa-like bathroom featuring a small sauna, generous storage with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and integrated utility space, plus a dedicated library nook for the homeowner. Two existing storage closets and the secondary stairwell exit had to remain. Beyond the complex program, the renovation encompassed a complete overhaul of all building systems—electrical, plumbing, and heating—new wooden windows, flooring, suspended ceilings, plaster, and drywall work. Only two period doors and a historic radiator enclosure survived the process. The central location of the building's single water and waste connection proved a defining constraint, requiring inventive solutions to serve six sanitary fixtures. To weave such an ambitious program into a modest footprint while preserving spatial openness, the designer conceived a distinctive winged room divider as the project's anchor. This sculptural element ingeniously houses the shower, toilet, bidet, and freestanding tub, plus a custom washbasin—all connected via a clever hidden installation. Flanking cabinetry accommodates the laundry appliances as well. Two floor-to-ceiling hinged doors create three flexible zones: a sleeping area with lounge, a wellness bath with sauna, and a dressing room with library. The minimalist aesthetic draws on authentic materials—regional pine flooring, travertine, and linen—alongside lacquered surfaces. The palette stays restrained: warm, soothing natural tones without jarring contrast. Thoughtful lighting design completes the picture, suffusing this intimate sanctuary with quiet warmth.

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