Items Tagged ‘Germany’
Gas Station Home
Project Name:
Gas Station HomeLocation:
Berlin, Germany, EUCompletion Date:
2008Original Use(s):
Shell gas stationNew Use(s):
private residenceProject Description:
History
Located in Berlin’s Schöneberg district, this site was once home to a Shell gas station. The building itself was built in 1956 on top of the foundation of a residential building that had been destroyed during World War II.
(Re)Developer
The property was purchased by Juerg Judin who had been pining over the possibilities of the station for years. Mr. Judin is an art collector and dealer from Zurich who moved to Berlin upon the completion of this adaptive reuse project.
Outcome
A contaminated piece of land has successfully been cleaned up and a new life has been given to it. The finished concept is that of a space for an artist-in-residence. The original building was completely renovated, a new wing was added, and a garden/patio/pond were located in the old paved lot. The original station offers 970 square feet of live/work space while the new addition has provided 3,200 square feet, with the second floor of that addition used as exhibition space. The gas stations old canopy for the pumps has been retained and used as a cover for the outdoor seating area.[1]
[1]The New York Times
Images courtesy of The New York Times.
Tropical Islands Resort
Project Name:
Tropical Islands ResortLocation:
Berlin, Germany, EUCompletion Date:
2004Original Use(s):
airport hangerNew Use(s):
vacation attractionProject Description:
History
Originally built in 2000, the larger hangar served as an airship building yard. CargoLifters intended to manufacture airships for worldwide transport of large freights to inaccessible destinations. The company however went bankrupt before ever the first unit was produced. It was purchased in 2003 by Tanjong PLC/Colin Au and opened in 2004 as Tropical Islands.
(Re)Developer
Tanjong is a public limited company based in Malaysia who formed a consortium with Au Leisure Investments Pte Ltd. of Singapore to purchase the vacant hangar.[1]
Outcome
Tropical Islands Resort is on its way to becoming a tropical destination in the middle of Germany. The waterpark set inside the hangar is 710,000 sf with a pool that can accommodate up to 8,000 visitors a day. It also includes restaurants, shopping, tanning, stage entertainment, daycare facilities, bars and overnight camping.[2] The project (and its success) offers an interesting perspective on the reuse of even the largest of structures. It just takes a little imagination.
[1]Tropical Islands
[2]UpTake Beach
Images courtesy of Birkenzweig and Cocoate.
Pigsty Showroom
Project Name:
Pigsty ShowroomLocation:
Germany, EUCompletion Date:
Original Use(s):
pig barnNew Use(s):
showroomProject Description:
History
Built in the 18th century to serve as a pig barn, this building had seen better days. Serving this singular purpose for most of its life, the pigsty was partly destroyed during World War II and was falling apart.
(Re)Developer
The current owner decided that he would like to convert the building into a showroom. FNP Architekten was brought onto the project to help realize this dream.
Outcome
The architects employed a special method that both protected and yet did not touch the shell of a building. The frame of a “house” was placed within the pigsty. This allows the entire interior of the new building to rely on the inner shell, rather than the 1780 structure. The new roof provides an overhang that protects the outer walls and yet sits on the new shell, adding pressure only to the new building. Windows were constructed in the same locations as the original structure, preserving the outer facade.[1]
[1]Greenline
Images courtesy of FNP Architekten and Greenline.
Water Pumping Plant Residence
Project Name:
Water Pumping Plant ResidenceLocation:
Berlin, Germany, EUCompletion Date:
2008Original Use(s):
utilityNew Use(s):
residentialProject Description:
History
The building was erected between 1925 and 1926 as an extension to the first pumping station in Berlin’s Neukoelln district (then called Rixdorf) dating from 1893. In 1993 new facilities were built on the adjoining premises and the old pumping station was decommissioned. In 1989 the former pumping station was placed under preservation order. Over the 13 years following the closedown it was not possible to find a use for the building, mainly because of its location, the exceptional size of the hall and the lack of a second escape route for the upper floors.
(Re)Developer
There had been a survey commissioned by the preservation authorities in 2002 that included major concessions such as new staircases within the hall and big dormers on the roof, but still no one could be found to buy it. It was only in early 2006, when Berlin-based artists Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset caught sight of the house through an online real estate service and spontaneously decided to make it their new headquarters.[1]
Outcome
The resulting adaptation is a home with a vast floor plan broken up into small “nooks.” It contains two separate private areas for each of the artists, as well as kitchen, four bathrooms, an attic living room, and a large living/working space.[2]
[1]ArchDaily
[2]Archi-Ninja
Images courtesy of Nils Wenk, ArchDaily, and Udo Meinel.