STUDIO BUNDSCHUH BEST LAID PLANS: FROM OBSOLESCENCE TO RADICAL RESILIENCE

The site is a former department store from the 1970s that occupies almost half a city block. It is located on Leopoldplatz in Berlin-Wedding and is known as „Karstadt Müllerstrasse.“ The store closed its doors at the end of 2023. Karstadt is large in scale, with 50,000 m² and 5 floors, but each floor lacks natural ventilation and lighting. It is a climate-controlled department store, with all floors containing only retail stores except for a coffee bar on the third floor.

My concept idea involves continuing the urbanity of the district inside the building, not just by mirroring the functions around the site but also by integrating with the urban planning of the area. The aim is to enhance transparency and open the building as much as possible. The ground floor and basement will feature a mall and open public spaces, offering multiple functions and incorporating the Bazaar (flea market) opposite the building. On the underground level, I have integrated the U-Bahn entrance and exit with the mall, extending this public space alongside the small shops.

As we move from the basement to the three public multifunctional green patios, people can access the ground floor, where the continuation of retail stores and recreational spaces is planned. Separating these three open patios allows for the creation of four different units: commercial offices, residential housing, and a library. With three public and private vertical cores, people can access the roof, which will be a public space open 24/7. This space will include areas for skateboarding, tennis, basketball, football, ping pong, billiards, running tracks, crops with green spaces, a coffee bar, and enclosed spaces for social cohesion.

As a result, by following this public space concept from the city into the building, I aim to create a „city within a building“ experience. The goal is for this building to reflect the vibrant and dynamic nature of the Wedding district of Berlin, filled with life and activities.