With the renovation of this 240-square-metre former factory space in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district, Batek Architekten have shown that industrial loft life, typical kind of bachelor-pad dream can also suit a family of five as well.
A key concern was to retain the qualities of the historic envelope, so that the experience of the size, height and character of the loft remained. Consequently the core of the concept is a group of boxes that were placed on the 240 square meter floor as a house-in-house construction. The apartment is divided into two zones: on one side of the entrance there is an open space that includes the kitchen, dining area and living area. On the other hand, there are more private uses such as studios, bedrooms, bathrooms, dressing rooms and guest rooms, housed in the custom-made boxes.
Important case - the boxes do not all reach the ceiling. The interior design keeps a distance not only spatially, but also materially: The boxes are made of white-stained spruce wood and multi-skin polycarbonate. A dark pink tone accentuates individual elements, while the brick walls and ceilings of the existing building have been painted white. Although some remnants of the factory’s former use have been retained and the walls and floor remain unrenovated – a too-perfect finish would have spoiled the industrial charm of the space. This is exactly the reason lofts are so popular: they combine the authentic atmosphere and qualities of historical architecture with contemporary living in an open space – even for a family with three kids.
