Haus 2+ by Office ParkScheerbarth: Pioneering Timber Architecture in Berlin’s Holzmarkt Quarter

Architects: Office ParkScheerbarth 

Located in the vibrant Holzmarkt district along the Spree River in Berlin, Haus 2+ by Office ParkScheerbarth is a striking example of modern sustainable architecture. Completed in 2023, this innovative three-story, all-timber building covers 204 m² and showcases a unique blend of design ingenuity, environmental responsibility, and urban integration.

From Lumber Port to Cultural Hub

Historically, the Holzmarkt area served as Berlin’s central lumber port until the early 19th century. During the GDR era, it transformed into a border zone, leaving many parcels vacant after reunification. By 2003, the area gained new life with the iconic Bar25 techno club, setting the stage for a cooperative cultural quarter. Today, Holzmarkt 25 hosts a concert hall, recording studios, restaurants, small kiosks, and vibrant public spaces, attracting around 500,000 visitors annually. Haus 2+ now adds a sustainable architectural landmark to this eclectic urban tapestry.

A Bold Statement in Sustainable Design

Haus 2+ is clad entirely in bright red wood, immediately marking the main entrance to Holzmarkt 25. Its fluid, curving volumes break away from conventional rectilinear forms, creating dynamic individual room layouts for diverse tenants. The building accommodates a bakery, tattoo studio, booking agency, artist workspace, photo studio, and a physiotherapy office, demonstrating the versatility of compact urban timber architecture.

The project embraces sustainability and resource efficiency. Operating on a tight budget and a small footprint, the architects utilized existing site infrastructure wherever possible. Sharing the exterior stairwell with the neighboring concert hall eliminated the need for CO2-intensive circulation space. The building repurposes the basement as a floor slab and taps into the district heating station for energy. Its roof terrace seamlessly connects with Holzmarkt’s network of arcades, bridges, and balconies, enhancing communal interactions.

Innovative Timber Construction

Haus 2+ integrates three timber construction systems: mass timber for internal walls, timber box elements for slabs, and timber frame construction for the exterior. Clad in durable timber, all components are regionally prefabricated and screwed rather than glued, allowing for easy disassembly, reuse, and recycling. This cradle-to-cradle approach reinforces the building’s environmental ethos while honoring Holzmarkt’s historical connection to the timber trade.

By combining sustainable engineering with functional, aesthetic design, Haus 2+ demonstrates the potential of prefabricated timber architecture in dense urban settings. Its thoughtful integration with existing infrastructure, cultural context, and circular construction principles positions it as a model for future urban development projects.

Technical Collaborations

The success of Haus 2+ was made possible through collaboration with leading experts: Buro Happold provided structural engineering, while Planungsteam E+B managed MEP engineering. Photography by Jan Bitter captures the dynamic interplay of light, timber textures, and spatial fluidity, emphasizing the building’s commitment to both design excellence and environmental stewardship.

All photographs are works of  Jan Bitter