Ecohouse, Berlin, Germany, 2018

A man walking on a grassy yard with trees and plants in autumn, in front of a house covered with green and yellow ivy leaves.
A house covered in dense green ivy and leaves, with small wooden-framed windows and a door, surrounded by a grassy yard.
A house covered in green ivy leaves with wooden framed windows, surrounded by lush plants and a large tree with autumn-colored leaves in the background.
Interior of a room with large, slanted windows and wooden framing, filled with green plants and trees outside. The room has red and yellow furniture, including a red armchair, a yellow cushion-lined lounge with a white blanket, and a reflective metal coffee table on a tiled floor.
A cozy living room with a red sectional sofa and matching ottoman, near large windows and green plants, with a wooden ceiling and white tiled floor.
A cozy indoor space with large windows overlooking lush green outdoor foliage, a yellow cushioned bench with a white cloth on top, a red upholstered seat, and various green potted plants.
A room with a large wooden table surrounded by colorful chairs, a decorative lamp, and a vibrant mural on the wall with various symbols in circles and geometric patterns, under a wooden ceiling with exposed beams.
Bright kitchen with white cabinets, wooden accents, a tiled backsplash, a window, and numerous potted green plants, including a large monstera in the foreground.
Inside a room with large angled windows, several potted green plants on a wooden floor.
A corner of a room with a wooden bookshelf filled with books and a colorful abstract art piece on the white wall.
Interior of a room with minimalist furniture, including a wooden table with books, two white chairs with high backs, a small bookshelf with binders, and framed artwork on the wall, illuminated by warm lighting.

Design: Peter Heimer and Pierre Jorge Gonzalez

Photography: Robert Rieger

Peter Heimer in collaboration with Pierre Jorge Gonzalez took on the renovation of Heimers townhouse in Berlin's eco-house complex. Designed by visionary German architect Frei Otto as an IBA - project, the multi-story townhouse embodies a harmonious connection between urban life and nature. The two-story townhouses are, so to speak, inserted into three residential shelves, situated in the green Tiergarten district in the center of Berlin.

The goal of the renovation was to preserve Frei Otto's original ecological and social ideals while adapting the space to modern living needs and showcasing art.

Heimer retained Otto's original floor plan, preserving the integrity of the architect's vision while introducing modern improvements and exposing materials.

Dimmable halogen lighting on brass tracks highlights an artwork by Matt Mullican.

The kitchen features original white ceramic tiles and powder-coated aluminum chairs by Jerszy Seymour, who designed the chairs for Heimer`s dining - room. A custom-made oak dining table by BUCHHOLZBERLIN complements the modern yet warm interior.

Winter Gardens

The winter gardens filled with plants on each floor of Heimer's townhouse are the heart of the home. Large sloping windows provide natural southern light and a connection to the outside world. The wintergarden windows can be opened electronically.

Adaptability and Customization

The unique parallelogram-shaped floor plan of the townhouse required a tailor-made solution, such as built-in bookshelves produced by BUCHHOLZBERLIN and a reworked tile grid in the upstairs bath inspired by Superstudio’s grid systems.

Pierre Jorge Gonzalez designed a walk-in, mirrored dressing room on the first floor, which is concealed in a large built-in closet in the hallway and can be accessed through a closet door.

He also designed a grid of brass beams to contrast with the original wooden beams on the ground floor, which provides dimmable lighting at gallery level. To complement the general lighting,

Gonzalez also designed five brass spotlights for Heimer's house to accentuate individual areas.

Upstairs, it was his idea to expose the raw concrete of the ceilings and support to reveal the living shelves.

Living with Nature

The design includes features like a small patio, a private garden of 250 qm and a variety of plants on the green fassade of Heimers house, that enhance the ecological footprint of the home.

Community Impact

Heimer’s renovation not only respects the original ecological and social principles of the Ecohaus complex but also fosters a sense of community among residents. The townhouse remains a model of sustainable urban living.

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