Roof With 20 Concrete Ribs, In a backyard in Berlin Neukölln, we removed the roof from an old five-story factory building and created a new 250-square-meter unit with a roof terrace. The existing building consists of a side wing and an almost square transverse building. This T-shaped floor plan structure creates two backyards. It is accessed through the existing staircase in the second courtyard in the side wing and through an external elevator on the transverse building. The second existing staircase in the first courtyard only serves as the second escape route but is also conceivable as an access route.
Courtesy of Atelier Zafari
The extension is formally detached from the existing building. As soon as you enter the floor via the stairwell, you will find yourself outside of the building. A narrow, 15-meter-long corridor, bounded by the firewall and the new building, leads laterally to the central entrance. Following the stairs, you will reach the roof terrace. From the entrance area of the floor, you will find two rooms, one on the right and the other on the left, each with a small bathroom.
Courtesy of Atelier Zafari
Opposite the entrance is the open, 120 square meter main room. The characteristic element of this room is the 20 concrete frame. Within a span of 12 meters, the frames cover the entire width of the building. Following building regulations, the side slopes of the frames are built with an inclination of almost 70°.
Courtesy of Atelier Zafari
The “ribs” are 30 centimeters wide and spaced 30 centimeters apart, which creates a certain uniformity in the room. The slopes are fully glazed from the outside, with the window profiles hidden behind the concrete frames. A space of light and shadow is created, in which one cannot escape the phenomenon of light, the course of the sun, and the mood of the sky.
Courtesy of Atelier Zafari
The light carries the room through time and the mood of the room changes noticeably at any time of year and day. The room appears monumental and at the same time light and delicate. Simultaneously, the use of screed flooring in combination with the exposed concrete construction supports the effect of a uniform, puristic space.
Project Info
Architects: Atelier Zafari
Country: Germany, Berlin
Area: 250 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Courtesy of Atelier Zafari
Engineering & Consulting > Civil: K.J.Meyer, Calau Germany
Anastasia Andreieva is an accomplished Architectural Projects Editor at Arch2O, bringing a unique blend of linguistic expertise and design enthusiasm to the team. Born and raised in Ukraine, she holds a Master’s degree in Languages from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Her deep passion for architecture and visual storytelling led her to transition from translation and editorial roles into the world of design media. With a keen eye for conceptual clarity and narrative structure, Anastasia curates and presents global architectural projects with precision and flair. She is particularly drawn to parametric and digital design, cultural context, and emerging voices in architecture. When I’m not analyzing the latest architectural trends, you’ll probably find me searching for hidden gems in cityscapes or appreciating the beauty of well-crafted spaces. After all, great design—like great connections—can be found in the most unexpected places. Speaking of connections, because architecture isn’t the only thing that brings people together.