Characterised by its striking funnel-shaped warehouse ceilings, this listed historic warehouse building is one of the most important early examples of concrete construction technology in Germany. The building has been carefully refurbished by AFF Architects to modernise it, restore the original ridge height and transform it into modern office space and public areas.

AFF Architekten

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Tjark Spille

Expansion, Refurbishment and Conversion of a Grain Testing Store Built at the end of the 19th century, the listed building is a 6-storey box warehouse with a square ground plan. Originally used for scientific research into grain storage, it is now an important testimony to Berlin's scientific, economic and social history.

The first extension was built in 1909/10, with the granary extension again serving as a test building for the innovative use of reinforced concrete. After a fire in 1915/16, the wooden interior of the older part of the building was also replaced with concrete. The funnel-shaped warehouse ceilings and the early use of reinforced concrete make the warehouse historically significant.

Following extensive refurbishment, remodelling and the addition of new storeys to the roof, modern office space and public areas have been created. Through a series of space-creating interventions, the building has been carefully refurbished in a contemporary style. The roof extension restores the original ridge height and fits into the existing brickwork.

Terraces invite you to linger outside. All facades have been sensitively refurbished and upgraded for energy efficiency. Large openings replace the infill panels. The entire concrete structure has been refurbished. Parts of the ceilings have been removed to open-up the space and create the required floor heights. Steel galleries rezone the space. A new access core connects the two components barrier-free.