From 2000 to 2005 Gartenstadt Atlantic – a housing development at the Gesundbrunnen in Berlin-Wedding – underwent complete modernisation. Constructed from 1925 to 1929 according to plans by the architect Rudolf Fränkel (1901-1974) it was intended a model of a garden city, implying a new concept of urban dwelling – based on a reform-oriented, socially and culturally motivated approach. Being an architectural and cultural monument, the whole complex of Gartenstadt Atlantic is a listed building since 1995.
The restoration was developed through a two-phase process with four steps of modernisation each, comprising a total of 49 houses with 496 apartments (37.500 sqm) and 25 commercial units (2.500 sqm). The overall costs amounted to 32 million Euros approximately. The wide range of responsibilities taken on during the project outreached the usual performance of an architect. Taking charge of general planning, project management and tenant assistance allowed the modernisation of each of the houses to be completed within a construction time scheduled for 7 weeks.
During the process of comprehensive modernisation, the most complex tasks turned out to be optimising the floor plan (room arrangement and layout of bathroom and kitchen), the complete renovation of the building services and of the electro-technics as well as the installation of central heating. Exploiting the additional spaces resulting from necessary restorations of the roof truss we created six penthouse maisonettes and three studio apartments. The refurbishment of the facade required a negotiation between the desire for historic preservation and a reduction of energy consumption. While at the most exposed and historically important parts we decided to keep the original windows and doors, the majority of apartments was equipped with modern wood-and-insulating-glass windows, whose flutings and muntins were designed according to the original plans of casement-type double windows. As a central feature of Gartenstadt, the outside facilities also received thorough rehabilitation and diligent rearrangement. Alongside the restructuring of the front gardens, the inner courtyards were equipped with benches, playgrounds and bicycle stands, preserving the historic park-like structure. One house of the complex (Heidebrinker Str. 15) received a true to original special refurbishment, facilitated by financial support of the German Foundation for Monument Protection (Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz). This building serves as a document of the original concept. The main difference here is the facade plastering which was enriched with goldstone, following the procedure of that time causing an iridescent optical effect depending on the light conditions.
In 2008 the modernisation of Gartenstadt Atlantic is declared one of the most outstanding construcion developments of the last ten years Berliner Architektenkammer (Berlin Achitects' Association). In its yearbook, Claudia Lux, director of the state library Zentral- und Landesbibliothek Berlin, is quoted as follows: "Gartentadt Atlantic – a phenomenon which comes alive through its history... conjuring up the memory of the film palace. Visible quality of life and green backyards for an impoverished quarter. Breakfast restaurant, theatre and the local soccer club fan tradition provide pleasant atmosphere on the beautifully composed entrée square. Marvellous the transformation of dead angles of the city to inhabitable public space. A redesign for a new living culture encompassing a Gesundbrunnen (mineral spring) for the soul”.
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