Fit-Out House by Praeger Richter Architekten: A Sustainable Collective Housing Project in Berlin

A Future-Oriented Housing Model in Berlin

The Fit-Out House, designed by Praeger Richter Architekten, is an innovative collective housing project located in Berlin, Germany. Known as Ausbauhaus Südkreuz, this forward-thinking development integrates sustainable architecture, flexible living spaces, and community-driven design. The project consists of a combination of owner-occupied apartments, subsidized rental flats, and community spaces, making it a model for future urban living.

Project Overview

• Location: Berlin, Germany
• Architects: Praeger Richter Architekten
• Completion Year: 2022
• Total Area: 2,200 m²
• Lead Architects: Jana Richter, Henri Praeger
• Photography: Lindsay Webb, Andreas Friedel
• Building Physics: CLKT Ingenieure
• Structural Engineering: Steffen Janitz Ingenieure
• Acoustics: Akustikbüro Moll
• Project Management: Müller Rose Projektsteuerung, L.I.S.T. Projektsteuerung
• Landscape Architect: Hutterreimann Landschaftsarchitektur

A Vision for Sustainable and Adaptive Housing

The Fit-Out House represents a groundbreaking approach to sustainable residential design, emphasizing modularity, material reusability, and energy efficiency. The structure is designed to be adaptable, ensuring long-term sustainability by allowing future modifications, renovations, or material reuse without demolition waste.

The dry and composite-free construction of the facade and the renewable interior fit-out materials ensure that the building can be easily repaired, modified, or even deconstructed with minimal environmental impact. This makes the project an exemplary model for the circular economy in architecture.

Program and Layout

The Fit-Out House was developed after winning a concept competition organized by the city of Berlin. Designed as a community-oriented space, it consists of:

• 13 owner-occupied flats
• 3 subsidized rental apartments
• 2 community-use spaces
• Flats ranging from 38 to 130 m², designed with flexibility and efficiency
• French balconies stretching across the entire facade, enhancing indoor-outdoor connectivity
• A 4.5-meter-high ground floor dedicated to community activities, cultural exchange, and start-up incubation
• A rooftop terrace and a guest flat, fostering shared urban living

Sustainable Construction and Material Circularity

Modern architecture is shifting towards modular and adaptable designs, ensuring that buildings are no longer demolished but rather upgraded. The Fit-Out House follows this philosophy by incorporating a timber-concrete hybrid structure that aligns with material life cycles:

• Load-bearing elements (firewalls, slabs, and circulation cores) are made of reinforced concrete for durability and flexibility.
• The facade is demountable and rear-ventilated, constructed from timber framework with wood-fiber insulation and pre-aged larch cladding.
• Interior fit-out elements, including walls and flooring, are free of composite materials and made of renewable resources.
• Flooring follows a dry-mounted system with unbound wood chip leveling fill, allowing for easy reconfiguration.
• Walls consist of timber studs and clay panels, which are a high-quality, eco-friendly alternative to traditional drywall.

Energy Efficiency and Biodiversity Integration

The project achieves the KfW 40 energy standard, featuring:

• Biogas heating for reduced carbon emissions.
• Bird breeding boxes seamlessly integrated into the facade to support local wildlife.
• A green roof used for beekeeping, reinforcing urban biodiversity.
• Specially designed wooden windows that provide sound insulation from the adjacent motorway.