Poratz is a small village in the Uckermark region, northeast of Berlin, nestled within the Poratz moraine landscape—a protected nature reserve. This linear village of just 24 houses, nine of which are listed buildings, exemplifies how historic preservation protects the character of rural communities. When Berlin architects Ulrike Flacke and Bettina Otto were commissioned to convert a listed stable into a family home, they faced an exacting challenge: preserve the solid brick structure and its handcrafted façade details with meticulous care, making only the changes necessary for modern living.

The two-storey building required comprehensive insulation for residential comfort. The structure's unusual sloping flat roof needed careful repair and subtle raising to provide adequate ceiling heights on the upper floor. Below, glass gravel insulation and new wooden floorboards created a fresh base. Though the building's exact age remains uncertain, it likely dates to the late 19th century. The architects' approach was methodical and respectful: the building's protected status guided every decision. The well-preserved clinker brick façade was cleaned to reveal the ornamental details adorning the doors and windows. Inside, the design gracefully accommodates a family's needs and lifestyle. Conceived as a weekend and holiday retreat, the 142 m² space functions equally well as a full-time residence. The ground floor unfolds as one expansive two-level space. A modest staircase descends from the kitchen and dining area into the living room, which opens through large glass doors onto the natural landscape beyond. An existing masonry heater supplies warmth throughout the ground floor, while storage, technical rooms, a shower bath, and a flexible sleeping area complete the level.

Upstairs, an open void creates intimate spatial dynamics while channeling natural light down to the kitchen below through a skylight. The upper floor houses bedrooms, a bathroom, a studio, and a gallery-like hallway. An interior bedroom, enclosed above by a transparent steel frame, equally benefits from the ribbon of roof windows. A sculptural wooden spiral staircase—painted in a soft dove blue—elegantly connects both levels, its crafted beauty a defining feature of the home.

www.fl-ot.com

Photography:
Lidia Tirri
www.tirri.de

(Published in CUBE Berlin 04|25)