Portfolio Full Home Renovation  Kreuzberg Berlin 

Breathing Life into a Berliner Altbau

The client contacted us in Fall 2022 while finalising the purchase of her Altbau flat in Friedrichshain. The apartment had charm, but its layout posed several issues: a long, dark, and impractical hallway, an outdated bathroom, and a kitchen tucked away in the rear of the unit—isolated from daily life. Her goal was to create a harmonious living space with a central kitchen-living area, a clean and minimalist bathroom, and well-lit circulation zones that offered intuitive, comfortable transitions between rooms.

Improved Circulation & Flow

After several design iterations, we relocated the kitchen to the heart of the apartment—turning it into the true center of home life. This shift allowed daylight to brighten the front half of the flat and replaced the traditional division between kitchen and living room with an open-plan layout. The new space invites social interaction, connection, and memory-making with friends and family.

Optimizing Space

The former kitchen space was transformed into a quiet and efficient home office. For flooring, we selected rustic longboard planks rich in knots and natural movement, harmonising with the original historical maple floors found in the rest of the apartment.

Modern, Clean Bathroom Aesthetic

In the bathroom, we embraced a modern and minimal design language. A walk-in, panless shower creates a seamless, open feeling. The oversized vanity—with a single large basin—offers generous storage through integrated drawers while maintaining visual clarity and simplicity. Neutral wall finishes paired with a warm, contrasting vanity reflect the material palette of the home, tying back into the classic Berliner Diele wooden floor.

Modern Minimalist Altbau

Through strategic layout redefinition and a carefully curated material mix—blending modern elements with warm contrasts—the flat now reflects the lifestyle and aesthetic of its owners. The final result is a thoughtful, inviting home that feels both fresh and rooted in Berlin’s architectural tradition.

Whether you’re renovating your current apartment or designing your new home from scratch, our team at HappyBart is here to help transform your ideas into reality. We specialize in crafting modern, functional, and inviting spaces tailored to your lifestyle.
Contact us today for a personalized consultation—and take the first step toward your dream design.