de Winder Architekten

The Markgrafenpalais at 35 Behrenstrasse in Berlin has served as the prestigious headquarters of the Verband der Automobilindustrie e. V., the German automobile industry's umbrella organization, since 2010. After an eventful history of expansions, conversions and renovations, the entire building is now a registered historical monument.

The primary task consisted of the redesign of a high quality, 3,600 m² area appropriate to the monument. A contemporary office building, combining old and new, was created in two construction phases. Existing historical stylistic elements found a place in a new, contemporary formal vocabulary that created the theme for a new work environment extending over several floors.

Within individual floors, characteristic communication and retreat opportunities were developed for the occupants. While the vestibule and staircase remained true to the original, contemporary office spaces were created from the second to fifth floors. Full height glass elements in office partitions and connections to the historical facade enable daylight to reach the central zone and upgrade it for communal areas. The multi-functional event space is on the sixth floor. The conference room, cafeteria and terrace are located on the mezzanine level.

Drawing upon the basic square module of the previously renovated, coffered ceiling in the foyer, the new suspended corridor ceiling provides views of the historical painted ceiling through cutouts while concealing the lighting system and building services. Noticeably modulated, this graphic element was repeated in the new ceiling designs on every floor.