Berlin Pods

Called upon to design an office building in Berlin, NOA breaks the linearity of the street front and creates a seamless connection between the riverside promenade and the rooftop landscape. The “pods”, protruding architectural modules, impart a strong plasticity to the facade and, thanks to their versatility, foster creative and innovative workspaces.

“Berlin Pods” is the project proposal submitted by NOA as part of an invited competition for an office building in Berlin. The building site is located within a larger area currently undergoing urban redevelopment, conceived to become a hub for forward-thinking workspaces. The current state features a rectangular courtyard building dating back to the 1950s, with introverted and imposing architecture, facing barriers to conversion into contemporary, sustainable, and innovative workspaces. The competition brief therefore required participants to rethink the plot, designing a building where innovation and sustainability are the driving forces of the project. NOA's proposal originates from the relationship between the built environment and its context: the main idea is to integrate the area into the urban fabric through an architectural highlight, thereby increasing the neighborhood's attractiveness - a landmark not only for Berlin but also internationally. The architecture gains dynamism through a fragmentation of the facades, which are divided into protruding modules – the pods – interspersed with individual balconies. This facade rhythm is reflected in the interior and, together with the vertical green areas, they create qualitative and cutting-edge work environments.

"The facade design emerged from the need to make the building more permeable while still meeting the volume requirements. The pods proved to be an effective tool for providing plasticity and flexibility within a unified scheme."

Andrea Dal Negro

Architect

The new construction draws on the typology of courtyard buildings. It comprises a perimeter block development, with each side structured over 6 floors and a depth of approximately 20 meters, featuring dual-sided illumination. The pods are evenly distributed along both the external facades and the elevations facing the central atrium, which serves as a public space with bars and coworking stations, topped by a glass roof.

Access to the building is provided via the main entrance along the street parallel to the canal, marked by a recess in the facade inviting passersby to enter and discover the building, as well as through a secondary entrance on the opposite side. Internal circulation is facilitated by four stair and elevator cores located at each building corner. Each of the four cores serves five units of approximately 400 square meters, resulting in eight connectable units per floor. Within the atrium, a sculptural staircase winds from the basement to the rooftop terrace, serving as another characteristic element.

The symmetrically staggered arrangement of the pods leaves room for balconies, loggias, and green areas of varying sizes for nearly every working unit. The compact pods offer a higher level of privacy and enable employees to configure them independently and individually. The perimeter sequence of niches contrasts with a rational and open internal layout, specifically designed to meet the adaptability requirements of the workspaces.

The basement accommodates parking spaces for 300 bicycles and 80 cars in two separate areas. Access is provided via two separate ramps. NOA has paid particular attention to maintaining clearly distinct traffic routes, minimizing intersections between cars and bicycles.

The proposed construction system adopts a hybrid wood technique, characterized by an innovative and modular approach, with some structural components made of reinforced concrete. Perforated metal panels are used as facade cladding, contributing to sound insulation and protection from direct sunlight while still maintaining visual transparency to the outside.

“To encourage the use of sustainable transportation, we enhanced the bicycle garage by integrating architectural elements such as a glazed facade overlooking the surrounding water basin and a dedicated bike workshop.”

Andrea Dal Negro

Architect

A green roof with a terrace, urban gardens, and a 1200 m² photovoltaic system, accessible independently from the offices, serves as an extension of the ground floor public space and the highlight of the project. NOA conceived it not only as a regenerating green area but also as an event venue, equipped with a small pop-up bar and showcasing panoramic views of the surrounding city.