Photovoltaic facade as a symbol of renewal for a large housing estate
(Berlin)
Photography: Tina Hörmann
Starting in 1976, a large housing estate featuring approximately 60.000 residential units was created in Berlin’s north-east. The estate was constructed using prefabricated slabs and mainly comprises large, 10- to 11-storey blocks, as well as 5- to 6-storey buildings on the peripheries. The townscape in the district centre around “Helene-Weigel-Platz“ square is characterized by a twin high rise with over 20 floors. Much-needed structural redevelopment, a generally changed demand situation in the housing market and a rising number of vacant apartments as well as social problems within the estate motivated the housing association’s decision to invest in a comprehensive refurbishment of the buildings.
Photography: Tina Hörmann
The twin high rise buildings with 22 and 25 floors, respectively, at the estate “entrance” are particularly important in urban design terms as they contain integrated retail and service uses on the lower floors (GF and 1st floor). Their redevelopment therefore has a signal function for the renewal of the entire estate, which is intended to contribute to the social stabilization and general improvement of the quarter.
The conversion included renovation of all domestic engineering systems. In addition, the loggia walls and parapets were repaired and curtain-type façade elements with rear ventilation were installed. In order to provide visible evidence of the use of innovative technologies in the redevelopment, an area of 426 m² on the 70 m high southern façade of the building at Helene-Weigel-Platz nr. 6/7 was equipped with modular slabs featuring photovoltaic elements. They replace the conventional facade slabs and produce around 25.000 kWh of solar-generated electricity a year. The generated electricity is fed into the public grid, reimbursed in line with the energy-saving law “EEG” and then set off against the energy consumption caused by elevators, ventilation and lighting systems etc. This helps to reduce the operating costs charged to residents.
The entrance areas of both buildings were also converted and equipped with reception counters for the “concierge” services. The concierge team provides various services to residents (key storage, messenger services, pet- and plant-minding for absent residents, parcel reception, fax service, etc.) and monitors the entrance areas, lifts, staircase and corridor areas as well as the environs of the building 24 hrs a day. These measures are aimed at improving resident identification with the estate, counteracting anonymity within the tower blocks and preventing crime and vandalism.
Since the beginning of 2002, a follow-up investment programme furnishes residents with the opportunity of requesting layout changes to be performed in their apartments in order to increase their residential value or adjust them to individual requirements. The housing association Marzahn justifies the investments with the "lastingness of the expenditure” as it estimates the structural lifetime of the buildings to be another 50 to 60 years.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1976-87 | Construction of the large housing estate Marzahn |
| From 1993 | Redevelopment resolutions for the objects |
| From 1994 | Realization in individual construction stages |
| 1995 | Domestic engineering |
| 1997 | Building construction measures |
| 1998 | Photovoltaic facility |
| 2000 | Conversion of entrance areas and installation of concierge services |
| 2002-04 | Partial ground plan changes (follow-up investment programme) |
Photography: Tina Hörmann
Photography: WBG Marzahn, Berlin
Photography: Tina Hörmann
The project served the redevelopment of important urban housing stock, enhanced by the service offer and security measures. This integrated approach creates opportunities for operating high rise stock in a future-oriented manner. The combination of structural, ecological, urban design and social aspects could have a model function for dealing with similar residential areas.
The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 12681 - town: Berlin - street: Helene-Weigel-Platz 6-7.
Record inserted on 01.10.2003 by Lehrstuhl für Planungstheorie und Stadtplanung, RWTH Aachen and updated by theFederal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) within the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR).
Last update: 19.08.2008
