Luisenblock Ost II, Berlin

The Luisenblock site is one of the last major development areas in the immediate vicinity of Berlin’s government district. The largely unused vacant lot between the banks of the Spree, Schiffbauerdamm, and the existing Bundestag buildings offers the opportunity to create a vibrant, green urban neighborhood with a variety of uses. The design develops three clearly structured city blocks for residential use, the German Bundestag, and ver.di, which are grouped around a new public square on the Spree. Through attractive open spaces, a green riverside promenade, and diverse ground-floor uses, the neighborhood is closely integrated with its urban surroundings. At the heart of the open-space concept is the new, tree-lined Spreeplatz, which serves as the neighborhood’s green hub and a connecting element between the water, the city, and the adjacent uses. The riverbank terraces, in interplay with the square, create a striking waterside setting and offer impressive views of Berlin’s urban landscape.