HENN's vertical farmhouse encloses grid terraced roof garden between two blocks in berlin

HENN’s hybrid building on Berlin’s Behrens-Ufer wins competition

HENN takes over the transformation of the Behrens-Ufer former industrial site in southeast Berlin into a new urban technology hub. On the banks of the River Spree, research, development, and production will merge in both historical and sustainably designed new buildings. Among these, the Vertical Farmhouse by HENN will rise as a hybrid building, integrating an innovative working and research environment centered around a fruit garden.

The Vertical Farmhouse consists of two blocks enclosing an ascending terraced rooftop garden. This garden creates a network of paths extending from the riverside promenade to the rooftop. Beneath the garden lies a 9,000-square-meter vertical farm, harmonizing food production with a fish farm. Inspired by coastal agricultural landscapes, the rooftop garden features orchards, light extensions, and overgrown pergolas that invite visitors to pick berries and fruits.

view from the south | all images courtesy of © HENN

Innovative Vertical Farmhouse Links Workspaces with Nature

HENN Architecture Studio‘s design mediates between platforms at various heights, linking outdoor spaces with work and laboratory areas in the building wings. The clearly structured grid of the wings allows for flexible usage, accommodating a range of future applications. A bridge connecting the two blocks to the riverbank houses co-working spaces, offering views across the River Spree and the orchard. Meeting rooms within the garden terraces provide views of the vertical farm.

The vertical farm, reaching heights up to nine meters, grows lettuce and herbs, some in fully automated setups. The aquaponics process establishes a natural cycle that utilizes nitrate-rich water from fish farming as fertilizer for the plants. The building blocks, in contrast to the lush surroundings, are designed as clear, calm cubes with staggered levels, blending harmoniously into the environment.

main entrance, riverside promenade

HENN’s model Combines technology, nature, and agriculture

The hybrid-timber structure employs a low-tech approach to minimize resource and energy consumption. The facade combines large glass windows with photovoltaic panels for power generation. At ground level, arcades open to the riverside promenade, inviting visitors to explore the Behrens Gardens. Rooftops will feature beehives and agrivoltaic systems, combining agricultural production with electricity generation.

The synergies from the vertical farm contribute to a holistic sustainability concept, positioning the Vertical Farmhouse as a model project internationally. This integration of technology, nature, and agriculture within an urban setting exemplifies the future of sustainable city living.

orchard

roofscape

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section perspective

axonometric

diagrams concept

plan typical floor roof

plan ground floor

plan third floor

plan fifth floor

project info:

name: Vertical Farmhouse
architects: HENN | @hennarchitecture

partners in charge: Daniel Festag, Martin Henn

competition team: Gianmarco Fabbri, Oliver Koch, Julia Menz, Armin Nemati, Andre Serpa, Pengyan Wu, Yanan Yuan

landscape architects: Aplantis

structural engineer: GRBV Ingenieure

building services: Winter Ingenieure

fire protection: Nees Ingenieure

client: DIEAG

gross floor area: 27,700 sqm

location: Berlin, Germany

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom