A residential building designed by Berlin-based architecture firm FAR Frohn & Rojas is making waves in the architectural community for its innovative approach to affordable housing through serial construction methods, exposed concrete surfaces, and deliberately rough interior finishes. The project, located in the Kaulsdorf district of East Berlin, represents a bold experiment in intelligent serial housing construction that challenges conventional expectations of residential design.

The building's most striking features include bare concrete walls throughout the interior rooms, unfinished concrete beams exposed on the ceilings, and spartanly designed concrete walkways flanked by Heraklith insulation panels from Hornbach. At first glance, the structure appears almost unfinished, as if the construction crew had removed the scaffolding before completing the exterior painting and plastering work. However, this raw aesthetic is entirely intentional, according to the architects.

Marc Frohn, one of the principals at FAR Frohn & Rojas, explains the philosophy behind the unconventional design choices. "No, this is intentional," Frohn states, "and not just because we as architects recognize a certain aesthetic in it, but above all because we wanted to establish an example of intelligent serial housing construction with this residential building." The firm's approach prioritizes functionality and affordability over traditional finishing touches that typically drive up construction costs.

The building's courtyard features distinctive design elements including net-covered walkways and hyperbolic-shaped balcony extensions, photographed by David Hiepler. These architectural details demonstrate how serial construction methods can still accommodate creative and functional design solutions while maintaining cost efficiency. The project showcases how modern residential architecture can embrace industrial aesthetics while providing quality living spaces for residents.

This Berlin housing project serves as a compelling case study for addressing the growing need for affordable urban housing through innovative construction approaches. By embracing exposed materials and streamlined building processes, FAR Frohn & Rojas has created a model that other architects and developers might follow in creating cost-effective residential solutions without sacrificing architectural integrity or livability.