Type: Residential
Location: Berlin
Year: 2021


Design Lead: A. Antonov
Status: Built
Phases: LPH 1- LPH8


Client: Privat
Photographer: Philipp Obkircher
Collaborators: Breitmaier Architekten

With the wish of owning a small yet practical apartment for short stays in Berlin, the client approached us with hesitation after acquiring this apartment. Shortly after the introduction, we sketched an analysis to pinpoint the flaws and downsides of the interior planning at that time: The attic condo was dissected into micro rooms, spaces were fragmented, and daylight was sparse.

Small rooms tend to be way less forgiving when it comes to lack of well-designed spaces, they quickly become overly cramped and constrict movement and view. With just above 40 square meters to work with, we had to think radically.
The idea was extremely simple yet so effective to merit recognition: What if the condo was to be stripped down to its shell, what if the single existing backbone in the whole place was the only wall left standing?

After rearranging the needed rooms along segments of the wall, the one wall apartment was born. Maximizing free space and light, the open floor plan arranges the areas elegantly in a practical sequence. The wall does not only support structurally, it also provides functionality and interacts with the spaces next to it.

As the eye wanders further, now undistracted by walls and scattered elements, we wanted to reflect the main concept of practical minimalism throughout the whole apartment. A palette of Materials was developed and brought into harmony to the tiniest of details: Door handles, cabinet knobs, light switches, and yes, even the toilet paper holder are flush-integrated keeping walls neat and rooms free from any protruding details.