In Oberschöneweide, just a stone's throw from the University of Applied Sciences for Technology and Economics, Berlin-based Sehw Architektur recently unveiled a striking pair of boarding houses. The architects aptly call them "twins"—two complementary structures that work in tandem. The slender building fronts the street, anchoring the corner, while its broader counterpart sits deeper within the courtyard, creating a harmonious dialogue rather than rigid symmetry. These spaces cater to urban professionals in transition—those seeking temporary accommodation during finite work assignments in Berlin. Though situated on the city's southeastern periphery rather than at its core, the location's excellent transport connections render geography nearly irrelevant. The narrow structure elegantly infills an urban gap, embodying the principle of thoughtful densification without erasure. A passageway and sight line remain open to the recessed rear twin, preserving the courtyard's legibility. The broader rear building naturally complements the neighboring context. Their twinship reveals itself most clearly in the interior logic and nearly identical façades: six floors each, housing 50 residents across a diverse range of units—from compact micro-apartments to expansive shared flats. This flexibility honors today's complex, multifaceted urban communities. Constructed in robust masonry with smooth plaster in a luminous palette, the buildings draw visual emphasis from dark, L-shaped balcony screens that double as privacy shields. Between the twins lies a semi-public plaza for community life; beyond the rear structure, a secluded garden reserved exclusively for residents. Interiors radiate warmth in soft blue tones, thoughtfully outfitted with essentials: desk, bed, storage, kitchenette, and bath—everything the modern nomad requires. Sehw Architektur's philosophy reads as follows: "Sehw embodies meaning, emotion, conviction, and evolution. Our mission: to build sustainable architecture, foster innovative thinking, and generate tangible social value." The twins manifest this commitment. They were conceived not merely for today, but for tomorrow's needs—a hallmark of truly sustainable design. Forward-looking planning and future-responsive program development ensure resilience across time. In an era of perpetual change, thoughtful, technology-embracing architecture provides constancy. This emerges through close collaboration with clients and end-users, yielding concepts that are strategically sound, socially purposeful, and economically viable.

www.sehw-architektur.de

Photography Credits:

Helin Bereket
www.helinbereket.com

(Published in CUBE Berlin 01|23)