Discovering
Mission: This building was the testing ground for our architectural practice.
It is our mission always to strive to expand the role of the architect beyond the mere design, because the quality of a building depends on many other factors.
The most essential of these is finding the right location. This is an art in itself, the rare visionary sense for what is possible with a certain spot.
Site Requirements: The site had to be in Berlin's historic center (Mitte) to guarantee long term value. We wanted property that had an existing building to be renovated, as well as an empty space because we wanted to build a new, 'sculptural' building. Furthermore, the site needed interesting views.
Goals: Our main goal was to create an architecturally outstanding building. We also wanted to test an experimental model for a new ecological type of urban development - a 'suburban family house' in the city center, close to the work space, with a 'suburban garden'.
Process: We searched for a year and a half until we found exactly the site we were looking for.
Developing
Economic Structure: The venture strategy for the project is as important to the outcome as finding the perfect location. The project's economic foundation needed to be revised continually to accommodate a changing market.
New Concept: Rents in Berlin are so low that they cannot finance constructing a building. To overcome this problem, we invented a new hybrid concept, loft apartments for short term lease. We tested the miniloft apartments in the renovated old wing first. It was so successful, that we planned more minilofts in the new building. Many people have copied this idea since.
Flexibility: The life span of a building is enhanced by its ability to adapt to changing spatial needs. The longer the life span of a building, the more sustainable it is.
With small modifications SlenderBender can be converted into office space or long term living space. All interior walls can be removed without structural changes, and floors can be connected vertically to form even larger units.
Designing
Negotiations: The building code defines a spatial framework for a design. These rules that define the city scape can be more flexible than they appear. Outstanding architecture often begins with finding creative interpretations of these rules.
To build SlenderBender we negotiated half a dozen exceptions to the Berlin building code. During this long and difficult process, we convinced the city planning department by combining our inspiring vision with persuasive legal arguments.
Inventions: For this project we invented several new building techniques to create specific effects. These details were designed in an interactive process with the builders.
Tailor made: Everything in this project was tailor made to our very personal ideas about living, working and visiting Berlin as a tourist or a short term resident.
For more information on the building's construction, visit the deadline.de web site
We have written extensively about the specific aspects of the design of this building on the miniloft.com web site.
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