3 Höfe Office and Residential Building by Tchoban Voss Architekten
A contemporary mixed-use complex in Berlin combining offices, apartments, and green courtyards inspired by traditional courtyard architecture.
A Sustainable Mixed-Use Urban Courtyard Development in Berlin’s Historic Luetzowviertel
Located in the heart of Berlin’s Luetzowviertel—between Potsdamer Platz, Tiergarten, and Gleisdreieck Park—the 3 Höfe Office and Residential Building designed by Tchoban Voss Architekten reimagines the classic Berlin courtyard typology for the 21st century. Inspired by the urban planning principles of James Hobrecht, this modern mixed-use development spans over 33,875 square meters and harmoniously blends commercial, residential, and retail functions within a vibrant urban block.
Architectural Program & Spatial Composition
The ensemble is organized around three lushly planted inner courtyards, each uniquely designed to enhance natural light, ventilation, and community interaction. The office component comprises six full stories and a setback level, offering over 18,000 sqm of flexible workspace designed to accommodate up to seven subdivisions per floor. Complementing this are 223 residential units—a mix of studio apartments, maisonettes, and penthouses—distributed across buildings of similar scale, creating a balanced dialogue with the surrounding urban fabric.
Living and Working in Harmony
This work-live development is a contemporary response to the demands of urban life, where modular offices, diverse apartment typologies, and ground-floor retail spaces foster an inclusive, 24/7 active neighborhood. Shared lobbies, four stairwells with dual elevators, and efficient circulation routes ensure optimal accessibility. Most apartments enjoy private outdoor areas in the form of balconies, terraces, or rooftop gardens, while green roofs contribute to environmental performance and visual appeal.
Facade & Materiality
The architecture distinguishes itself through a rich interplay of textures and colors. The residential facades are animated with individualized plaster surfaces atop clinker brick socles, reflecting the parceling tradition of Berlin’s historic blocks. The office facade adopts a more rhythmic and structured language using clinker brick slips, offset pilasters, and metal panels, combining modern efficiency with timeless craftsmanship. Courtyard-facing elevations follow a similar hierarchy but transition to plaster finishes above the second level.
Infrastructure & Sustainability
Below ground, a 115-space underground car park, bicycle storage, and technical rooms support the building’s mixed-use program. Green infrastructure plays a key role, with extensively planted roofscapes reducing urban heat gain, supporting biodiversity, and offering enhanced leisure spaces for residents and workers alike.
All Photographs are works of Stefan Mueller
