Bridget Paulillo

Thesis in Architectural Design

"BERLIN BEYOND THE WALL - MUSEUM + ARTIST RESIDENCIES IN KREUZBERG"

Thesis by Brigida Paolillo
Contact email: brigidapaolillo@hotmail.it
University of Rome "La Sapienza" - Faculty of Architecture "Valle Giulia" - Degree in Architecture EU

Speaker: Prof. Arch. Alfonso Giancotti
Academic Year 2016 - 2017

The thesis project is a museum and residential building for artists in Berlin. The lot is located in the Kreuzberg district, close to the Spree River and the remains of the Wall. During World War II, the district was almost entirely destroyed by bombings and numerous plans for reconstruction and urban redevelopment were implemented according to the historical urban plan of Berlin.
Today, it is known as the artists' quarter and is home to one of the greatest artistic avant-gardes of the 21st century.
The project aims to be a new hub and a symbol of reference for this avant-garde movement. The project stems from a critical analysis of the site, taking into account the alignments of the closed and compact fronts and the heights of the buildings; the morphology of the Berlin block blocks that open onto green internal courtyards; the infrastructure, in particular the elevated subway; the inclinations of the roofs; the solar exposure; the accesses, the green areas.
It takes into account perceptions, the angular problem generated by the triangular shape of the lot and finally takes into account the relevant urban places, especially the building opposite by Alvaro Siza, Bonjour Tristesse.
The project is developed in two separate buildings in which the two macro functions are distributed: the museum and the residences, connected to each other via the underground level.
The museum building has a closed front, in reference to the wall, and faces north to allow for better exposure of light for the works.
In the residential building, laboratories have been set up on the ground floor, artists' accommodation on the upper floors and common services and social spaces such as the restaurant, children's area and gym on the top floor.
The warehouses and offices are located in the basement and are provided with lighting and ventilation through a hole in the internal courtyard of the square. The apartments are designed to face inwards and southwards to enjoy better lighting and to reduce the visual and acoustic disturbance of the metro.
It is possible to access it via semi-external balconies covered by vertical partitions that ensure the air and lighting standards and at the same time act as an acoustic and visual filter solution for the accommodations.
The accommodation types are based on a 35 m4 module and are 4: for singles, for couples, for families of XNUMX and duplex. 
The residential building features a vertical partition cladding to be both a functional and aesthetic solution, recalling the rhythm and rigor of the facades of German architecture. 
The materials used are steel, concrete and glass.