Located in the historic neighborhood of Neu-Tempelhof in West Berlin, this renovation engages with one of the city’s most distinctive residential ensembles. Planned in the 1920s according to the principles of the garden city, the area is characterized by urban villas of two to three floors set within generous plots and private gardens. While preserving a remarkable residential quality, the district today sits at the center of a rapidly evolving urban landscape, shaped by the transformation of the former Tempelhof Airport into a vast public park and by ongoing debates around future densification and large-scale urban development.

The project focuses on reorganizing and clarifying the internal spatial structure of a house originally built in 1920 and subsequently altered several times between the post-war period and the 1990s. The intervention aims to adapt the building to contemporary living standards by rationalizing the existing layout and introducing new spatial relationships.

At the heart of the project lies the reconfiguration of the vertical circulation. Within a total area of approximately 170 sqm, the position and design of the staircases become the key element shaping the usability and perception of the interior spaces. Through a hybrid structure of steel and timber beams, portions of the slabs at the first and second floors were selectively opened, creating a full-height void that accommodates the new stair. This vertical space allows daylight to penetrate deep into the house, introducing a secondary and unexpected source of natural light that connects the levels and enhances the spatial continuity of the dwelling.

As part of the transformation, the former garage was integrated into the living area and reimagined as an open-plan kitchen. The new space establishes a direct connection with the dining area on the ground floor and extends outward to an outdoor deck, reinforcing the relationship between the interior and the garden.