Nicolo' Guariento

The former Berlin City Airport is the largest listed building in Europe currently undergoing refurbishment. Erected between 1936 and 1941, the terminal remained operational until 2008, subsequently transforming into a versatile venue for cultural  events.  In the upcoming years, this iconic structure will be a cultural centre, housing diverse museums.

• Location: Berlin, Germany
• Client: Tempelhof Project GmbH
• Architect: :MLZD
• Status: completed in 2023
• Phases: Detail Design / Construction Phase
• Period of Involvement: 2018 - 2021 

The provided services have been focused on the West-Tower of the terminal building encompassing 2’700m2 of office spaces and an exhibition area covering the top floor and the former control tower.  The retrofit concept is rooted in preserving the intrinsic value of the existing construction while prioritizing an exceptional indoor comfort. Given the building's rich historical significance, interventions were meticulously minimized and thoughtfully planned. 

In the office spaces new windows with timber frames and double glazed units have replaced the existing single-glazed elements. This strategic upgrade has  not only reduced the building's energy consumption but also significantly enhanced indoor comfort. The interfaces with the existing walls had to be scrupulously designed in order to avoid thermal bridges and superficial condensation.

 The top floor, serving as an exhibition area, was conceptualized to minimize invasive interventions in the existing building structure. Mechanical ventilation was deliberately omitted. Instead, a natural ventilation strategy was devised using parametric 3D modeling. This approach, incorporating openable windows on three sides of the open space, mitigates the risk of condensation, particularly at the roof/wall connections and in proximity to the existing steel-framed windows. 

Finally the identified thermal bridges have been detailed and analysed in order to determine the least invasive  measures to reduce the risk of condensation.  This approach integrates precision and care, ensuring that every intervention aligns seamlessly with the historic integrity of this iconic structure.