In order to secure the food supply for Berlin's rapidly growing population at the end of the 19th century, the Kornversuchsspeicher was built in 1898 on the former site of the Hamburger and Lehrter freight depots. A building with a scientific mission, it served to research new storage methods for grain. After years of vacancy and then interim use as a creative space, the brick building has been carefully renovated in recent years by AFF Architekten, extended with the addition of a seventh floor and transformed into a modern event, gastronomy and office building, with a focus on fully preserving its industrial charm. This was a project that called for great expertise in all areas, including from Solarlux, the specialist called upon for customized window and facade solutions.
To dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior spaces on the top floor, and to provide wide views of the Europacity canal, a total of four large cero III sliding windows were used. These open up the facades on both long sides of the building over 55 sqm and thus generously flood the top floor with light. Since the reddish-brown color of the profiles corresponds to the clinker brick facade, the circumferential window profiles, which are only 34 mm wide, visually blend into the background even more. Frames that recess into the ceilings and walls further enhance this impression.
"It is remarkable that the building elements bring with them a surprising lightness despite their large formats," says Ulrike Dix, the lead architect, also confirming the filigree appearance of the sliding elements, each weighing 700 kg. On the ground floor, another cero sliding window provides a seamless transition between the catering area and the outside, which can be opened to its maximum extent thanks to a wall pocket attached to the room. Great views both in and out then, at this new-old landmark in the center of Berlin.
