Private House, Berlin

On a peninsular in Berlin, architects Clarke and Kuhn realised a truly special building project: a free-standing private house with separate self-contained apartment that is situated amongst the town houses of a popular residential area. The building owners attached particular importance to forward-looking planning: right from the start, they wanted to make sure that they could grow old in and with the house.

In order to meet the owners’ wishes for a residence that would be suitable for them in old age, the whole building was planned as a disabled-friendly construction and is closely based on DIN 18030E. An elevator with six stops links the individual storeys, from the cellar to the penthouse. The installation of the elevator allowed for the separation of the house into separate storeys should this be required at a later date. In this way, the spacious one-family house with swimming pool and sauna, living area covering two storeys, self-contained apartment and separate penthouse can be easily converted into a fully functional, multiple dwelling that is suitable for disabled access. The elevator, the barrier-free doors that are wide enough for wheelchairs and the generously proportioned traffic routes ensure unhindered access to the (potential) individual residential units and guarantee wheelchair users good freedom of movement.

The demand for barrier-free residential units also makes special requirements of the design of the sanitary rooms: in the spacious, easily accessible shower areas that are flush with the floor, showering is a true pleasure. Sturdy handles are a safety aid, if required. The equipment to mount them is already provided in all bathrooms.
By opting for the just 165 mm high Vero washbasin from Duravit, Clarke and Kuhn decided in favour of a wheelchair-accessible model that meets the architects’ high requirements for a clear, straight-lined design that is close to the standard for barrier-free washbasins. Both the wall-mounted and the console versions of Vero are installed in the AST house. On the strength of its simple basic form, the bidet from the Starck 3 range is a great complement to the rectangular washbasin. The architects chose the wall-mounted WC for wheelchair users from the Architec range that, with a projection of 700 mm, is barrier-free in accordance with DIN 18024.

In the sanitary rooms, great importance was attached to avoiding any impression of a sterile clinical environment whilst offering all the necessary functions. The use of the same materials as in the living area also communicates a visual impression of flowing, barrier-free solutions and the specially made built-in wooden furniture creates a sense of comfort. A highlight: The user can lie back in the comfort of the Starck built-in bath, which is also fitted with a whirl system and neck support, whilst enjoying the view through the built-in window across the living area to the surroundings outside. An attractive prospect for old age!