The design of an office building in the Müggelberge hill region of Berlin, combining coworking space with nature, won the international Blend competition organized by the UNI platform. Its author, {tag:studenci}, a student of architecture at the Wroclaw University of Technology, decided to try to blur the boundary between the built and natural environments, all in order to create better working conditions to stimulate creativity and productivity.
The body of the building consists of terraces going down the hill
© Aleksandra Szczębara
The goal of the competition was to create a conceptual design for an office building with coworking spaces. The proposed location was the Müggelberge hill region in southeastern Berlin on a partially wooded, steep plot. The challenge set by the organizers was to create a space where the boundary between architecture and nature is blurred. Contestants were to design at least two thousand square meters of covered office space, spread over five spaces of two hundred square meters and ten of one hundred square meters. Some spaces could have been transformed into common spaces. Between the offices there could have been a reception area, courtyard, cafeteria, restaurant, terraces, conference rooms. It was mandatory to design a greenhouse, which could be incorporated into the interior.
The office building could be built in Berlin
© Aleksandra Szczębara
office building in Berlin
Aleksandra Szczębara's winning concept for the naturE COworking aisle was created as part of her engineering thesis under the supervision of supervisor Dr. Marek Piróg.
The proposed location is the region of the wooded Müggelberge hill in the southeastern part of Berlin, which provides an interesting context for a collective place for individual and group work. Berlin is among the ten European cities that can expect the greatest future growth in the coworking sector. Collaborative environments - places that encourage lateral thinking, brainstorming and teamwork - are becoming increasingly attractive. An important element in a coworking space is an adequate amount of greenery, which, according to research, not only increases creativity and productivity, but also has a positive impact on employees' physical and mental health. Being in the midst of nature relaxes and calms you down and increases your happiness level," says a student at PWr.
The building is founded on stilts and has large glazed areas
© Aleksandra Szczębara
naturE COworking
The author achieved the competition goals by shaping the block appropriately, fitting it into the terrain, and using natural materials and ecological solutions.
The challenge during the design process was to create a building that does not dominate the surroundings, fits in with the sloping terrain, and has the least possible impact on the environment, including the existing trees on the plot, while at the same time shaping relatively large spaces for rent. An important consideration was to ensure good climatic conditions - sunlight, ventilation and humidity, as well as overall well-being, which has an impact on employee productivity, Alexandra adds.
Berlin office building project, level 0 plan
© Aleksandra Szczębara
Most of the materials used in the project are of natural or recycled origin - the author took into account their environmental baggage. Due to the nature of the building, the structural system was designed using two technologies - in the underground part the student used reinforced concrete, and in the aboveground part she used CLT system solutions. The finishing material is primarily wood, including recycled wood.
The green courtyard is an important element of the project
© Aleksandra Szczębara
green courtyard and greenhouse
Free plan office interiors can be freely shaped by users, responding to their current needs. They are to provide not only office space, but also the opportunity for joint creative work, exchange of ideas and experience between different industries, and a place to relax among nature. An important element organizing the flow of the building's users is a green courtyard providing a place for employee recreation. Around it horizontal and vertical communication has been designed. The recreation and resting function is also provided by a greenhouse located in the eastern part of the building.
Berlin office building project, cross-section A-A
© Aleksandra Szczębara
terraces on the hill
Thanks to the body shaping solutions adopted in the form of terraces going down the hill, it was possible to obtain a building that does not dominate the surroundings, and the rounded edges better set the building in the context of the natural environment. By orienting the longer sides of the building in an east-west direction, it is possible to create optimal working conditions in the interior, the designer explains.
The author introduced green walls in the interiors of the office building
© Aleksandra Szczębara
The panoramic glazing of the office building opens up to the greenery and blurs the boundary with the surroundings. This phenomenon is also enhanced by the green walls introduced in the interior and their use on parts of the exterior facade. According to the author, the foundation of the building on columns makes less interference with the site than if a foundation slab were used. What's more, opening up the inner courtyard, helps it to ventilate properly.
The office building could be built on the Müggelberge Hill
© Aleksandra Szczębara
Read also about the design of a brick office building in Poznan, by Michalina Linkowska, who received the Prize of the Minister of Development and Technology.
