Photography by Diana Adam, courtesy of Hagar Abiri Architecture & Design.
It’s not uncommon for architects to name their projects after locations (think West Village Townhouse, Sonoma Ranch, Seattle Cabin, and the like).
“The phrase is a quote by the ex-mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, who said ‘Berlin ist Arm, aber sexy,'” says Abiri. While many of Abiri’s design decisions were indeed budget-based, they also conveniently aligned with her ethos of honoring the past when appropriate.
The view from the front door. An alcove, outfitted with a shelf, coat hooks, and built-in bench, serves as an entryway landing station.
The flat has an odd shape (scroll to the bottom for the layout), but rather than fight it, Abiri chose to highlight the awkward structural wall by stripping it down to the bricks.
Playful modern lighting hangs above the sink.
Behind the curtain next to the kitchen is the study.
Abiri, who is also an interior designer, sourced the mismatched dining chairs from eBay and thrift stores.
Abiri designed the built-in shelves, stools (on the other side of the dining table), and coffee table.
Rather than buy new doors the architect chose to upgrade the existing heavy pine doors by either painting over them as was the case with the two doors off the main hallway or stripping them as this one was We found...
...original handles at the local flea market The result was better and cheaper than getting new doors The guideline was to upgrade and optimize the elements we can use not to compromise the design in favor of the budget notes Abiri
An example of Abiri’s sensibility—modern socket pendant lights hang simply from an ornate plaster ceiling medallion.
Like many of the older flats in Berlin, this one was covered in wallpaper.
“Here, you can see the line where the new paint stops and the old continues—to make it clear that it was not a mistake.”
Floating built-in storage frames the bedroom door.
Abiri turned a one-bedroom into a two-bedroom with this new layout.