It was, in fact, the design of Berghain<\/em> two decades ago that led an American couple to reach out to Studio Karhard<\/em>. They were looking for a second home in Berlin that would evoke the brutalist, technical and underground atmosphere of the club \u2014 but translated into a private living space. \u201cIt was clear they appreciated that raw, industrial aesthetic, even if it\u2019s unusual for a home\u201d<\/em>, says Karsten<\/em>. \u201cThe challenge was to transform that apparent coldness into something warm and liveable.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The commission began with the search for a modern flat in Kreuzberg. Although a partial renovation was initially considered, it quickly became clear that the original layout wouldn\u2019t meet expectations. The solution was radical: gutting the flat completely and redesigning it from scratch. That\u2019s how B32<\/em> was born \u2014 a full transformation that turned a two-room apartment into a three-room home, adding a bedroom and a workspace without sacrificing openness or natural light.<\/p>\n At the heart of the new layout lies a standout architectural feature: a curved glass brick wall that subtly separates the entrance hall from the living room. Far from blocking the light, it filters and enhances it with the help of internal lighting, turning the structure into an atmospheric wall. \u201cIt was one of the very first ideas for the project\u201d<\/em>, Karsten<\/em> explains. \u201cWe wanted light to play a leading role. This wall is almost a light sculpture.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The apartment\u2019s design revolves around what the architects call \u201clight scenes\u201d<\/em>: ambient lighting set-ups that create zones of light and shadow, with varying degrees of intensity.<\/p>\n A striking example is the guest toilet \u2014 dubbed the \u201cmystical powder room\u201d<\/em> \u2014 which directly echoes a techno club: metallic mesh ceiling, indirect lighting, shifting colours, and even, during the conceptual phase, a smoke machine.<\/p>\n Studio Karhard<\/em> has always approached its projects through materials. In B32<\/em>, technical minimalism meets textile sophistication. The kitchen, for instance, is crafted from raw stainless steel and untreated brass, creating a sleek, industrial aesthetic. In contrast, terrazzo floors, walls finished with natural lime plaster, and velvet-upholstered sofas by Kvadrat<\/em> introduce a retro sensuality reminiscent of 1960s Milan. This tension between cool and warm, metal and fabric, defines the apartment\u2019s unique character.<\/p>\n Every corner of B32<\/em> is the result of close collaboration between architects, artisans and clients. From the design of hidden storage systems to the careful curation of furnishings, everything has been thoroughly considered. \u201cIt was like a game of creative ping-pong\u201d<\/em>, recalls Karsten<\/em>. \u201cWe don\u2019t like to repeat ourselves. Every project demands new solutions and deep research \u2014 that\u2019s how we like to work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n B32<\/em>\u2019s interior design also stands out for its curated selection of contemporary design pieces: chairs by Gemla<\/em>, a table from B&B Italia<\/em>, a bench by More<\/em>, a lamp by Sabine Marcelis<\/em>, an armchair from Cassina<\/em>, tables by Miniforms<\/em>, a rug by Ferreira de S\u00e1<\/em>, and a bathtub by Antonio Lupi<\/em> with Fantin<\/em> fittings. Each element brings texture, character and coherence to an ensemble that could have felt cold, but instead feels strikingly warm and liveable.<\/p>\n B32<\/em> has become one of those rare projects that transcend the domestic realm to become a benchmark of contemporary design. Its blend of spatial theatricality, material precision and experimental functionality positions it within a new understanding of Berlin luxury: less ornamental, more experiential.<\/p>\n A kind of luxury that embraces the visual language of club culture, that welcomes industrial coolness without sacrificing emotion, and that proves residential architecture can be radical \u2014 yet profoundly human.<\/p>\n (*)<\/strong> Photographs by Robert Rieger, courtesy of Studio Karhard.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" From club to home: an unconventional inspiration It was, in fact, the design of Berghain two decades ago that led an American couple to reach out to Studio Karhard. They were looking for a second home in Berlin that would evoke the brutalist, technical and underground atmosphere of the club \u2014 but translated into a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":96934,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5959,5957,5900],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-97152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-architecture","category-design-en","category-art-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nA blank canvas in Kreuzberg<\/h6>\n
Architecture of light: The curved glass brick wall<\/h6>\n
Scenes of light and shadow: a sensorial experience<\/h6>\n
Materials that tell stories: from steel to velvet<\/h6>\n
Craftsmanship, collaboration and custom design<\/h6>\n
Furniture & brands: a signature interior<\/h6>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t like to repeat ourselves. Every project demands new solutions and deep research.\u201d<\/h2>\n
An extension of the Karhard DNA<\/h6>\n