Former Berlin Bar Now a Light and Bright Home
An architect shows how he converted a commercial space into a residence with strong material choices and the right lighting design
For 20 years, the Schluckspecht was a typical Berlin hangout, a quaint and casual neighborhood pub. When it suddenly went up for sale two years ago, architect Swen Burgheim saw a new future for the site. “I have a few friends who used to work there. I knew its big, beautiful space well and immediately ran it by my clients,” Burgheim says. It took only one day after the visit for the couple from Munich to sign the contract and give the green light to transform it into their home.
AFTER: Once the former bar was gutted, Burgheim divided the space into zones, laid a subfloor and designed an interesting lighting installation. A cool loft ambience now prevails inside the onetime charming tavern.
“The owners originally wanted a top-floor unit. But you can do a lot more with the same amount of money on the ground floor,” Burgheim says.
The suspended ceiling was removed, giving the space 5 extra feet of air at the top, with the overall ceiling height now at 17 feet. Old industrial windows were installed in the masonry between the kitchen and living room to enable light to penetrate deep into the rooms. To prevent the rest of the loft from steaming up while cooking, you can close the kitchen’s newly installed swing doors. “When renovating, I always take great care to remain loyal to the building’s era. The doors may be new here, but they are historic originals,” he says.
“The owners originally wanted a top-floor unit. But you can do a lot more with the same amount of money on the ground floor,” Burgheim says.
The suspended ceiling was removed, giving the space 5 extra feet of air at the top, with the overall ceiling height now at 17 feet. Old industrial windows were installed in the masonry between the kitchen and living room to enable light to penetrate deep into the rooms. To prevent the rest of the loft from steaming up while cooking, you can close the kitchen’s newly installed swing doors. “When renovating, I always take great care to remain loyal to the building’s era. The doors may be new here, but they are historic originals,” he says.
“The 13-foot windows allow for tons of light to come in. And while sitting at the dinner table in the evening, you can even see the moon,” Burgheim says.
He had these classic steel window frames sandblasted and left them exposed. First he put in new windows and then he colored these old frames with an anthracite powder coating. This means they go perfectly with the old industrial windows between the kitchen and living room.
He had these classic steel window frames sandblasted and left them exposed. First he put in new windows and then he colored these old frames with an anthracite powder coating. This means they go perfectly with the old industrial windows between the kitchen and living room.
BEFORE: “Most architects go from the outside in — I go from the inside out. When designing a property, I like to consider how my clients like to live. If cooking is their thing, then I make the kitchen the center of attention, as is the case here,” he says.
AFTER: “Because the couple have no children, we had a lot of freedom with regard to the design and could make the rooms as open as we liked,” Burgheim says.
The front of the space, containing the eat-in kitchen, is accessible via the front door and has an open feel. It is separated from the street by a small front yard, typical for the area. Pedestrians can catch a glimpse inside as they walk by, if they wish.
The front of the space, containing the eat-in kitchen, is accessible via the front door and has an open feel. It is separated from the street by a small front yard, typical for the area. Pedestrians can catch a glimpse inside as they walk by, if they wish.
The architect had the concrete countertops custom-made for the Häcker kitchen. The industrial shelves come from an old locksmith’s shop in the region.
An original bunker door next to the shelves, painted white, leads to a small pantry.
An original bunker door next to the shelves, painted white, leads to a small pantry.
The flooring in the eating area and the rest of the ground level is oiled white oak.
The dinner table, an original design by Burgheim, is made from old industrial trestles and an oak top. “Before, I used to make most of the pieces myself. But, eventually, I started working with an extremely talented professional carpenter.” The chairs are a mishmash of old industrial chairs and modern designer classics, such as the Eames plastic armchair and the Panton chair (both by Vitra).
The dinner table, an original design by Burgheim, is made from old industrial trestles and an oak top. “Before, I used to make most of the pieces myself. But, eventually, I started working with an extremely talented professional carpenter.” The chairs are a mishmash of old industrial chairs and modern designer classics, such as the Eames plastic armchair and the Panton chair (both by Vitra).
For Burgheim, good lighting is essential. A system built from steel and tubes with clear covers, one of the architect’s original designs, hangs over the kitchen island. “We were scared to death when the electrician put his wobbly ladder on the countertop to hang them up,” says Burgheim, laughing. Two original industrial lights from the era before Germany was divided put the dinner table in the best possible light.
In the background on the right, you can see the glass blocks that allow warm, indirect light from the upstairs bathroom into the living room.
In the background on the right, you can see the glass blocks that allow warm, indirect light from the upstairs bathroom into the living room.
BEFORE: Burgheim also had the suspending ceiling removed from the living room, which opens into the kitchen, to make it all the more spacious.
AFTER: The second level provides the loft with extra square footage and its own separate work station. “The couple now have a total of 2,150 square feet of living space,” Burgheim says. The gallery’s glass balustrade provides a peek into the upper floor and, at the same time, floods the living room with light.
The stairs to the gallery consist of medium-density fiberboard panels and feature built-in storage spaces, while the treads are made from oak. The handleless cabinets underneath are opened by touch with Tip-On. In addition to odds and ends, the gas hot water heater is also cleverly tucked away in here.
The newly installed gallery is highlighted from below by spotlights in the ceiling.
The stack of logs is not just for decoration: To warm the upstairs room on cold days, the Swiss-manufactured furnace is used to supplement the apartment’s heating. “A must-have for the occupants,” Burgheim says.
The stack of logs is not just for decoration: To warm the upstairs room on cold days, the Swiss-manufactured furnace is used to supplement the apartment’s heating. “A must-have for the occupants,” Burgheim says.
The pair of doors under the staircase leads to the guest bathroom and utility room. The doors are remnants from the bar and have been painted in a warm shade of gray.
In general, renovations rarely come off without a hitch. And this one was no exception to the rule: “The floor in the back simply broke on us. The floor in the bar’s bathroom wasn’t properly sealed, and after years of moisture, several of the steel beams were rusted through,” Burgheim says. “Luckily, it didn’t happen while bargoers were using the bathroom.”
Turning right at the top of the stairs, we enter the bedroom with its en suite bathroom. From the outside, another staircase leads to the basement, where a workroom can be found.
In general, renovations rarely come off without a hitch. And this one was no exception to the rule: “The floor in the back simply broke on us. The floor in the bar’s bathroom wasn’t properly sealed, and after years of moisture, several of the steel beams were rusted through,” Burgheim says. “Luckily, it didn’t happen while bargoers were using the bathroom.”
Turning right at the top of the stairs, we enter the bedroom with its en suite bathroom. From the outside, another staircase leads to the basement, where a workroom can be found.
The owners wanted the upstairs to be cozier. “The stylistically different design of the bedroom and bathroom is illustrative of the separation of the loft into private and public spaces,” Burgheim says. The oak floorboards received a coat of warm white paint, and even the furniture has its own sweet country charm.
The loft has a little balcony with a view of the grassy inner courtyard. Furthermore, 860 square feet of this back garden belong to the apartment.
The couple can keep their clothes in the antique wooden dresser or a large cabinet (not pictured).
The couple can keep their clothes in the antique wooden dresser or a large cabinet (not pictured).
BEFORE: During the renovation, the area where the bathroom is located was moved forward by 4 feet and now terminates flush with the wall.
AFTER: “We didn’t want to raise any walls, for that would have meant less light for the bathroom and living room,” Burgheim says. Instead, he opted for glass blocks, which both let in light and provide privacy. “And at night, when the bathroom light is on, they serve as an indirect source of light,” he says.
The oak floorboards here are sealed with waterproof white paint. The custom vanity, an original Burgheim design, is equipped with additional sinks, while the walls and walk-in shower are covered with smooth cement plaster.
The oak floorboards here are sealed with waterproof white paint. The custom vanity, an original Burgheim design, is equipped with additional sinks, while the walls and walk-in shower are covered with smooth cement plaster.
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Who lives here: A couple in their 40s
Location: The Friedenau district of Berlin
Size: 2,150 square feet (200 square meters) on two levels
Architect: Studio Swen Burgheim
BEFORE: Berliners knew the Schluckspecht (loosely defined as “tippler") as a place to sip a cocktail, play a game of pool or just chat with their neighbors. When it went up for sale on real estate site Immobilienscout, “I recognized the bar right away,” Burgheim says. He happened to be looking for the perfect space for a couple from Munich. “They really wanted a penthouse, but apartments on the ground floor are often much cheaper. And we saw real potential in the space,” the architect says.