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On the 8500 m² Spree riverside site, a new building reorganises the previously fragmented collection of existing structures and new additions. The Ruinengarten takes the central role, framed like a monastic cloister by a delicate, independent building that does not homogenise the existing elements but establishes careful relationships between them. The result is a precise, calm framework deeply rooted in cultural and typological context, while bringing the site into the present.
Structurally and materially, the new building deliberately contrasts with the more monolithic existing structures. Wood serves as the primary material, mediating between nature and artefact, with a clear, legible structural grid supporting adaptability. Circulation, services, and utilities are organised along concentrated lines, allowing unit sizes to adjust quickly without altering the primary structure.
Each unit follows a strict modular layout based on human scale: a running width of 90 cm multiplied by five defines the smallest unit at 4.50 m. This basic module, mirrored in the wooden structure, can be combined horizontally or vertically into larger units. Dual-depth planning with off-centre service layers allows both focused individual work and collective use. Furniture and functional bands define spatial boundaries without rigid partitions.
The design anticipates future functional changes: additional units can be added to the modular grid, and reversible connections with “plug-and-play” technical interfaces allow rapid, cost-effective adaptation. Facades and interiors are conceived as demountable layers, easily replaced or supplemented over time.
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