Olivaerplatz 2 Berlin
Architecture: Eike Becker
The historic roof of the neoclassical residential and commercial building at Olivaer Platz 2 was almost completely burnt out during the war. It has now been redesigned according to designs by Eike Becker_Architekten.
In the process, the new contemporary design language of the roof represents a deliberate contrast to the building's historic façade. Aluminium panels and glass windows give the roof façade a modern look. Inside, two penthouse flats with particularly spacious roof terraces were created. The new building sits like a ship above the Wilhelminian style house - and offers a wide view over the roofs of Berlin.
Roofs offer great potential for additional living space: according to a study by the Technical University of Darmstadt and the Pestel Institute, it would be possible to create around 1.5 million additional flats by converting roofs and adding storeys. In Berlin alone, around 100,000 new flats could be created in this way. This form of inner-city densification in existing buildings offers numerous advantages. No additional land needs to be sealed. There is no need to buy land or pay land transfer tax.
In terms of construction, an attic conversion is not a big problem either: the risers for water, electricity, heating and gas usually have sufficient capacity and can usually be easily extended. However, due to the comparatively large external surfaces, more effort is required for cold and heat insulation. Although roof conversions and additions are a particularly city-friendly and cost-saving form of inner-city redensification, the possibilities are far from being exhausted.