A 1950s single-family house in Berlin's Westend district has been transformed into a comprehensive residential ensemble featuring nine rental apartments and shared garden facilities. The innovative project, completed by bfstudio-architekten under the theme "Value Transformation" for Gartenstadt Atlantic AG, demonstrates how existing housing stock can be adapted to meet modern urban living demands.

The ambitious development tackled significant site challenges, including elevation differences of up to eight meters across the property. The architects converted the original single-family home into a multi-family building with 650 square meters of gross floor area through strategic additions, while constructing an entirely new residential building with 1,400 square meters of gross floor area alongside it.

The renovation approach focused on minimal intervention in the existing structure's interior, which was characterized by split-level configurations. Through careful space redistribution and the addition of an upper floor, the architects created three separate apartments with independent access points. The original pitched roof was replaced with staggered cubic volumes that create a dynamic architectural composition.

The new residential building features an elongated volume with a distinctly cubic appearance, strategically positioned in a depression on the site. An upper-floor bridge connects this new structure to the renovated multi-family building, creating a unified complex while maintaining the individual identity of each structure. Both the renovation and new construction utilized modular wood panel construction techniques, with exclusively screw or carpentry connections that allow for easy future dismantling and material recovery.

A significant design consideration was the preservation of a 60-year-old beech tree located in the gap between the two buildings. This mature tree serves as the identity-defining centerpiece of the ensemble, with the facade design visually unifying both structures while respecting the natural element that predates the development.

The architects adapted the split-level typology from the original building for the new construction, enabling efficient space utilization through compact floor plans. The project offers three different apartment variants to accommodate various lifestyle models, with flexible buffer rooms in the attic level that can serve as work spaces or guest rooms. Private living areas connect to shared balconies that also function as secondary emergency exits.

Access and circulation were carefully planned along the northwestern property boundary, creating a dedicated access zone. Vehicle entry occurs from the west, with parking provided beneath the elevated new building. Apartments are accessible via a gallery above the concrete parking level, creating an efficient circulation system that maximizes usable space.

The development includes innovative community features, particularly the "plant kitchen" located in the basement level facing the garden slope. This community space represents what the architects describe as a "social experiment in communal gardening within rental housing construction." In keeping with urban mining principles, the facility incorporates salvaged elements from the original single-family home, including the kitchen line and chandelier, giving new life to existing materials.

The project exemplifies sustainable construction practices through its modular wood construction, material reuse strategies, and focus on creating compact, efficient living spaces. The shared garden concept encourages community interaction while providing residents with access to outdoor space for cultivation and recreation. This approach addresses contemporary urban housing challenges by increasing density while maintaining quality of life and environmental sustainability.