Old Malthouse
1 / Introduction
The Old Malthouse in Pankow is one of the greatest industrial heritage sites in Berlin. After years of standing empty it is now being used again, offering high quality living space whilst securing and revitalising a valuable historic building.
Buro Happold refurbished the brick buildings in close collaboration with the client, architect and State Heritage Office, converting them into a high end residential complex.
A fine understanding of the possibilities and limits of conversion, a thorough knowledge of historic building materials, as well as innovative engineering skills were required in order to create living spaces of maximum quality that preserve the delicate historical structure.
Modern fire safety standards were applied, which required detailed approval from the State Heritage Office, especially for the detailing of the ceiling with barrel and cross vaults. Gallery levels requiring specialised engineering solutions were added into striking rooms with 7m high ceilings.
A series of storage sheds in the courtyards was also demolished allowing the original areas of the yards to be regained. These were subsequently turned into attractive green spaces allowing day light into the inner parts of the building and the new apartments.
Approximately 100 new apartments, with sizes between 50 and 135 m², have been created where malt was once dried, crushed and stored.
Key facts
- Listed building from 1874
- 100 new apartments with sizes between 50 to 135 m²
- Delicate historical structure preserved
Related Disciplines
The Project Details
Client
Terraplan Grundstücksentwicklungsgesellschaft
Architect
Vangeistenmarfels Architekten
Buro Happold services
Structural engineering, Computation and Simulation Analysis