Construction has begun on the MVRDV-designed LXK Office and Residential Campus in Berlin. The mixed-use complex will add needed office and residential space to a rapidly developing part of the city.

The project is located in the Friedrichshain district. It spans approximately 658,751 square feet and features abundant office, commercial, and residential space. The complex consists of two L-shaped volumes, with the residential component consolidated into a single block. The corners of each volume open up to create an accessible green, public square. This divide allows the project to integrate itself sensitively into the scale of the surroundings.

One of the most distinguishing features of the development is its single continuous luminous band that wraps horizontally around each structure. The band unifies the fragmented structure into a single form. This component is further activated by green, accessible terraces that offer views into the surrounding city. It also hosts a connection with the roof level and the inner courtyards. A layered system of green spaces is established through the union of the band, the courtyard, and rooftop terraces.

The office layouts within the complex are characterized as highly adaptable. They are distributed across ten floors within both volumes. In addition, the vertical panels that define the building’s façade include manually openable windows, which provide natural ventilation to all offices. 

The housing component is consistent with the office’s flexible design. There are around 140 apartments of varying residential types, from studios to three-bedroom apartments. Many of the units feature outdoor balconies or terraces. 

The campus is expected to achieve LEED Platinum certification through the integration of PV panels, a complete abandonment of fossil fuels, and rainwater reuse. The development also intends to meet Germany’s highest level of mobility certification, in which bicycles and other forms of soft mobility are prioritized over cars. Therefore, more than 800 bicycle spaces are available, connected to the buildings’ ground and underground floors. 

“Berlin is one of the most verdant metropolises in Europe but equally a dynamic, ever-evolving city, and nowhere is this more apparent than in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg,” said Jacob van Rijs, founding partner of MVRDV. “Developments from Alexanderplatz to Mediaspree and beyond together with a vibrant economic activity and deep talent pool are shifting Berlin’s centre of gravity eastwards, and the mixed-use LXK project will continue to engender lively neighbourhoods, ensuring Berlin’s future remains bright.”