Where Contrasts Converge
A Kreuzberg apartment brings together some of today's most compelling contemporary design brands.
The 350 m² Kreuzberg loft was initially conceived by Berlin's Friends of Friends (FvF) content platform, developed in partnership with furniture manufacturer Vitra and many others. As the project neared completion, Brisbane-based interior designer and stylist Raini Peters joined to bring the vision home. The collaboration brought together Philipp Mainzer—architect, co-founder, and brand designer of e15—alongside Frederik Frede, FvF's creative director. Today, the apartment thrives as a dynamic, multi-purpose space: hosting events, welcoming overnight guests, facilitating workshops, and serving as a hub for creative work and networking.
The transformation unfolded in carefully considered phases. In 2016, the architect commissioned Bocci for a striking lighting installation. The Canadian brand has gained recognition in Berlin for its hand-blown glass fixtures crafted with exceptional care. Within the Kreuzberg apartment, individual glass forms connect via coaxial cable, creating an ethereal canopy reminiscent of Andy Warhol's helium balloons. Next came the terrazzo flooring—its bold pattern infuses warmth and vitality into otherwise austere, industrial-feeling spaces. The kitchen arrived in 2018, featuring cherry wood and copper cabinetry topped with Corian countertops. Deep blacks create striking contrast with natural light flooding through expansive windows. The oak dining table hails from e15's collection; its scale required a crane to enter the apartment. Stefan Diez designed the accompanying chairs. The kitchen's vibrant palette—a departure from the typically austere all-white kitchens common in Germany—makes a bold statement.
A custom wooden wall introduces an en suite bathroom to the bedroom, anchoring a deliberately quieter, more minimalist aesthetic. Yet the sofa ensemble remains playfully layered with colour and form. Farah Ibrahimi, Philipp Mainzer's wife, designed the floral upholstery patterns for two seating pieces. Lush indoor plants frame the composition, creating an exotic atmosphere that deliberately contrasts with the raw, unfinished walls. Raini Peters' contribution—furnishing and spatial planning, curating textured velvet cushions and fresh botanicals, styling an organic fruit display with ceramic and wooden accents—instils the spaces with warmth and livability.
Photography Credits:
Daniel Farò
www.daniellucasfaro.com
(Originally published in CUBE Berlin 01|20)
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