Lakeside Luxury Living: Residential Building at Griebnitzsee by Tchoban Voss Architekten

Nestled along the tranquil shores of Lake Griebnitzsee in Berlin’s esteemed Wannsee district, the Residential Building at Griebnitzsee designed by Tchoban Voss Architekten is a striking architectural addition that merges natural harmony with sculptural modernism. Completed in 2023, this three-story lakeside residence is a testament to contextual design, material precision, and refined urban living.

Location and Context: A Scenic Retreat in Berlin

Positioned within the borough of Steglitz-Zehlendorf, the residential complex is situated on a privileged site with expansive access to the water. The site’s geometry tapers toward Lake Griebnitzsee, offering panoramic views and direct access to the lakeside. Just moments away lie the historic Babelsberg Park and Glienicke Palace Park, infusing the location with cultural and historical significance.

Architectural Form: A Sculptural Response to Topography

The architecture of the building responds organically to the topography and geometry of the site. With its stepped massing and sweeping curves, the structure widens as it approaches the lakefront. This volumetric articulation is more than a visual gesture; it reflects the natural slope of the land, integrating architecture into the landscape with subtle sophistication.

The three-story residence also includes an underground parking level, ensuring the upper levels remain focused on aesthetics, views, and landscape interaction.

Façade Design: Wood, Metal, and Transparency

The building envelope is defined by a rear-ventilated wooden façade, composed of vertical rhombus-profiled ash strips finished with a protective glaze. This vertical structure is offset by horizontal metal bands—coated in a weather-resistant white finish—that provide visual contrast and reinforce the layered composition of the façade.

Large floor-to-ceiling aluminum windows punctuate the elevations, many of which are designed with expressive curves and protruding balconies. These design features not only enhance the building’s sculptural presence but also frame spectacular views of the lake, maximizing the interplay between interior and exterior spaces.

Interior-Exterior Interaction: Light and Landscape

Interior spaces are bathed in natural light thanks to generous window openings and an orientation that embraces the lakefront. From the garden level upward, balconies are equipped with transparent, fall-protected glass balustrades, whose striped patterns echo the vertical rhythm of the wooden façade.

The south, east, and west façades are fitted with motorized vertical awnings, serving as external sun protection and contributing to the building’s passive environmental performance.

Circulation and Outdoor Living

The building’s access is both functional and elegant. An external staircase provides direct access to the garden-level apartments on the north-east side, while all other units are served by a central staircase located at the main entrance.

Expansive terraces adjoin the living areas, extending the interior into the landscape. In addition to private balconies, the flat roof features terrace space, including wooden decking and areas of intensive green roofing, promoting sustainability and leisure in equal measure.

Landscape and Entry Experience

A secure gated entry welcomes both vehicles and pedestrians. The landscape design complements the architectural serenity, with a park-like garden that enhances the building’s lakeside setting and offers residents peaceful outdoor spaces to relax and engage with nature.

Project Information

• Project Name: Residential Building at Griebnitzsee
• Architects: Tchoban Voss Architekten
• Location: Wannsee, Berlin, Germany
• Area: 1,636 m²
• Completion: 2023
• Photography: Ilya Ivanov