TOPSSTRASSE

The property is located not far from Mauerpark and the Eberswalder Straße subway station. The residential complex comprises 206 residential units and surrounds an 8,600 sqm park-like garden courtyard, which is characterized by mature trees and spacious lawns. An oasis in lively, urban Prenzlauer Berg!

The entire complex was dilapidated and in need of renovation. There were no play areas, seating or sufficient parking spaces for bicycles. The paths were mainly made of in-situ concrete. As part of the renovation/modernization of the existing buildings and the new construction at Topsstraße 25, the fire department access had to be integrated into the courtyard and the pathways, planting areas, garbage areas, bicycle parking spaces and play areas had to be redesigned.

A large play area was created for the ages 0-12 with playground animals, a sand table, nest swing, climbing combination and slide, a communal area with table tennis tables and benches and a table for teenagers and adults as well as hammocks under the trees on the lawn. Two lockable garbage cans, clad with wooden slats and planted with greenery, were erected near the courtyard entrances to accommodate the necessary garbage cans.

The routing in the garden courtyard was reorganized due to the necessary fire department access. The access path on the courtyard side was moved away from the buildings and reduced to a width of approx. 2.4 meters. The resulting space between the building and the path was planted with a mixture of perennials and shrubs. Stub paths provide access to the waste disposal areas and the bicycle shelters. The existing path surfaces made of in-situ concrete were removed and replaced with a patterned stone paving with a high proportion of joints. The open bicycle parking areas were paved with dark grass paving. Some of the roofs and the access path on the courtyard side now no longer drain into the sewer system via the existing underground pipe, but into a newly constructed box trench. All other paths and paved areas drain into the adjacent green areas.

For better orientation and to increase the feeling of safety, the garden paths are illuminated with bollard lights controlled by motion detectors. Fire department access is provided by the two driveways from Topsstrasse. The fire department movement areas along the access path on the courtyard side were paved with gravel turf. Grass honeycombs were used in the turning areas and set-up areas.

The property is located in the area covered by landscape plan IV-L-3 "Gründerzeitgebiete Prenzlauer Berg", which requires a biotope area factor (BFF) of 0.6 for the block in question. The existing value was 0.58. The measures implemented (unsealing of the in-situ concrete surfaces and low degree of new sealing, paving with a high proportion of joints, façade greening, new green spaces in Topsstraße, etc.) enabled the target value to be achieved.

Photography: Lichtschwärmer - Christo Libuda