50 Shades of Industrial Green: Berlin Apartment Renovation by Christopher Sitzler-Brakel.

In Berlin’s lively Kreuzberg neighbourhood, architect Christopher Sitzler-Brakel has transformed a heritage apartment in the historic Schmiedhof industrial building into a schmick home fit for modern living. It’s the perfect mix of “I woke up like this” effortlessness and “I spent hours planning this” sophistication.

Completed in 2020, the project spans three levels and maintains much of the building’s original charm. The exposed brick walls, concrete ceilings, and metal beams have been kept intact, blending effortlessly with contemporary elements. It’s a brilliant example of reimagining historical structures while preserving their distinctive features with a modern twist.

Green colour accents run throughout the loft apartment. From the exposed steel support to the handrails and balustrade frames, this verdant hue pops up everywhere, creating a visual thread that ties the whole space together. It’s a game of ‘spot the green’ that you’ll never tire of playing.

SCH52 Loft in Berlin by Batek Architekten.

Hello apartment of our dreams! In Berlin’s Kreuzberg, this former factory has been transformed into a spacious loft for a family of five filled with youthful joy.

The renovation’s centrepiece is an open-plan layout that creates a sense of connection between spaces. A central stair acts as the main linking element, guiding residents through the various levels while maintaining an airy atmosphere. The ground floor sets an industrial-inspired tone with its raw materials, balanced by warm timber flooring and crisp white walls.

On the first floor, you’ll find the kitchen, cleverly positioned to serve as a hub connecting the living areas below and more private spaces above. Large windows and skylights bathe the interior in natural light, emphasising the spaciousness of the design. The upper level introduces a gallery-like space that overlooks the lower floors, flowing seamlessly into a children’s play area.

Harnessing Materiality & Light: LES Berlin by RHO.

Harnessing materiality and light to work as hard as possible, Berlin-based architecture practice RHO, in collaboration with Balzer-Balzer and Kirsch Audio, have created an event venue like no other.

Christopher’s material choices reflect a commitment to preserving the building’s character while introducing modern comforts. Senso Pure flooring unifies different areas with its seamless, resin-based surface, achieving a beautiful contrast with the rough textures of brick and concrete.

The renovation also incorporates energy-efficient features, including triple-glazed windows and a heat recovery system. Smart home technology has been integrated for improved functionality and energy management.

This Berlin apartment renovation is a brilliant example of thoughtful urban renewal and adaptive reuse done right. The result is the architectural equivalent of your cool grandpa who rocks vintage clothes but knows all the latest TikTok dance routines.

Green Box Apartment, Berlin by Ester Bruzkus Architekten.

With precise planning and bold colour combinations, there is a sense of discovery around every corner in this top floor apartment. A palette of deep green, warm gold, violet and brown tones harmonises with raw concrete to create a spaces both cosy and cool.

[Images courtesy of Christopher Sitzler-Brakel. Photography by Franz Grünewald.]