A major residential project has recently been completed in one of the capital's most coveted locations. While it functions as a unified complex, its design cleverly presents six distinct residential buildings, each with its own distinct character. Situated alongside Köllnischer Park—a protected green space that traces its origins to a 17th-century city fortification—the development has been named Embassy by architects Tchoban Voss. Positioned between Köpenicker Straße to the south and Rungestraße to the north, just steps from the River Spree, the location could hardly be more central: Alexanderplatz is just a short walk away. The surrounding diplomatic quarter likely inspired the project's name. Across 22,774 m², 133 apartments have been developed—many of them accessible—alongside four ground-floor commercial units. The corner buildings, Houses A and F, showcase distinctly different character: a cosmopolitan elegance along Rungestraße to the north, and a more industrial aesthetic along Köpenicker Straße to the south.

The caliber of the design speaks for itself through the façades. Perforated natural stone and clinker brickwork in carefully chosen, muted earth tones create a dynamic rhythm while echoing the distinctive material palette and warm colors characteristic of Berlin's architectural heritage. The six distinct buildings—which function as a cohesive whole—achieve remarkable visual diversity through varying attic heights and differing street-facing materials. Six full stories topped by a staggered penthouse level accommodate a wide range of apartments, from one to five rooms, with units reaching up to 160 m². Street-facing apartments feature French windows; nearly every unit at the rear opens onto a cantilevered balcony overlooking the verdant courtyard. The penthouse level features roof terraces, while the uppermost flat roof incorporates green space. What's particularly commendable is the architects' sophisticated approach to avoiding the monotonous uniformity of a typical residential block in favor of a diverse residential landscape. The effect is reminiscent of an organically developed street that evolved over generations. The most striking design element—the dramatic, soaring wooden entrance doors that extend nearly two stories high—underscores the independence of each building, ensuring individual access rather than relying on shared stairwells and lengthy corridors.

www.tchobanvoss.de

Photography Credits:

Roland Halbe
www.rolandhalbe.eu

(Published in CUBE Berlin 04|21)