Spree Shore, Berlin

The workshop procedure “Berlin – Spree Küste” (Spree shore) is intended to develop an urban development model for the almost 30 ha area between Rummelsburger Bucht and Oberschöneweide. In addition, a development concept is to be designed for the central 3 ha realisation part, north of the Hohe Wallgraben. Programmatically, office and service uses, urban, non-disturbing production and craft workshops as well as facilities for the arts and cultural scene are envisaged.
Our urban-spatial concept for the Spree Shore is based on a balance of compactly placed buildings and an extensive public open space oriented towards the Spree. The architectural monuments in the vicinity and on the site (the old Rummelsburg power station and the Nalepastrasse radio station) are given special consideration – in terms of volume, cubature and materiality. The designed buildings are placed along Köpenicker Chaussee in a closed yet permeable manner. The building blocks are oriented towards the Berlin eaves height (22 m). In addition, several concise structural high points (up to 60 m) accentuate the new building ensemble. The compact setting and vertical orientation of the buildings along Köpenicker Chaussee leave the banks of the Spree completely free of new development. In addition, there is space for a public riverside path for pedestrians and cyclists.

The open space

The spatial guiding idea of the Spree shore is based on the interlocking of open space near Spree river with the new architecture. Thus, the generous open spaces on the waterfront extend into the ridge-like buildings in a variety of forms. The aim is to enhance and connect the individual areas: the Spree, the raised waterfront, the green but unstructured areas around the existing buildings, the rarely-qualified HoheWallgraben and finally the urban structures along Köpenicker Chaussee. The spatial idea of a “Spree frequency” relies on the oscillating linkage of these individual open space elements. This makes the subspaces easier to experience and fully exploits the potential of the Spree shore as a public leisure and recreation space. Ecological rainwater management is just as much a focus as the creation of high-quality recreational areas.

The open spaces in the northern part of the area are divided into protected courtyards near the buildings, open squares with a connection to the Spree and the linking Funkhaus axis, which connects the entire area as a transit and meeting space. The spacious meadows with sunbathing areas along the riverbank path open up towards the Spree. South of this is the renaturalised area along the Hohe Wallgraben. By swivelling the public riverside path around the valuable wooded areas, flora and fauna can spread unhindered here. Along the course of the moat lies the new green path connection to the east, to Karlshorst and Wuhlheide. The focus for visitors will be the adjacent park at the harbour. It serves as a lively meeting place and with the large open-air stage, concerts can take place in the open air. This is also where the access to the new Spree Bridge is located. It will enable pedestrians and cyclists to cross the Spree in the direction of Plänterwald and at the same time the confluence of the harbour to the south.

In the southern part, around the Funkhaus, the focus is on water-related leisure uses. The canoe harbour and the Spreebad, with its steps and terraces, offer water sports enthusiasts the opportunity to get directly to the water. The Spree Bridge itself is a highlight visible from afar. Coming from the opposite bank, it marks the start of the Spree shore and opens up new perspectives on the neighbourhood for visitors.