Yew Tree Living
Conversion and Extension of a historic 1920s house in Berlin, Germany
The design concept for the conversion and extension of this 1920s Berlin house is the intersection of interior and exterior spaces. A new sequence of rooms connects the elevated kitchen with the living and dining room at garden level. The differentiation between the old and new is made visible through glazed joints.
Location
The existing house is part of a historically grown development structure along a lime tree-lined street. The deep plot retains several space-defining trees, including an old Irish Yew Tree (Taxus baccata) integrated into the terrace area.
Space
The entrance vestibule is in line with the extension’s facade, allowing visitors to look through the new building into the depths of the property as they enter the house. The extension is set against the garden-facing gable wall of the house. A large opening connects the raised kitchen to the new space. From the elevated vantage point of the kitchen, the nine-metre wide glass facade appears to fill the entire width of the garden.
Materiality
Exposed concrete surfaces, a polished screed floor and a solid oak staircase define the materiality of the interior. Original features of the historical house such as the staircase, windows, doors and fittings have been retained and refurbished. Externally, the new building is clad in light silver fir siding.
Energy concept and user comfort
The design decision to energetically upgrade the roof and windows preserves the historic character of the facades. For comfort, there is a solar thermal system and underfloor heating. The new layout and garden facade ensure constant sunlight. The roof is designed as a green roof.
Architects: Jens Brinkmann
Collaborators: Chiara Sanguin, Raquel MalagĂł Garcia, Carolina Vital do RĂŞgo
Photos: Anna Fraire, Matthias Heurich, Chiara Sanguin