Architect Christopher Sitzler has successfully combined two separate apartments in Berlin's Kreuzberg district into a stunning family home, earning him first place in the prestigious "Best of Interior" Award 2025. The innovative renovation demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform cramped living spaces into an open, light-filled residence that honors its industrial heritage.
The project's location in Berlin-Kreuzberg could not be more perfect, situated on a former industrial site featuring charming brick walls and original doors with mullioned windows. The building offers dual perspectives - one side overlooks a lively inner courtyard, while the other faces a private, quiet patio. However, the interior spaces required significant improvement to reach their full potential.
Sitzler explains the complexity of the undertaking: "Originally, these were two separate apartments, each spanning three floors, which needed to be combined and made functional for a family of four. The new communal area incorporating living, cooking, dining, and gallery spaces now allows for flowing circulation with natural light from both sides. The previous interior design dated from the 1990s and unfortunately had no connection to the building's historic character - that's what we wanted to change."
One of the most significant challenges involved bringing more natural light into the interior spaces. The architect had to carefully organize various sleeping areas near the windows while maintaining beautiful and generous communal spaces - a true test of spatial planning skills. The renovation successfully preserves the authentic facade of the historic industrial architecture while creating modern living spaces.
Sitzler achieved a perfect balance between old and new through traditional metalwork, seamless cast floors, and green tiles laid in a running bond pattern in the bathroom. These design elements create an appropriate bridge to the preserved industrial facade. "This is a concept that will still be understood in connection with the building decades from now," the architect confidently states.
The color scheme draws inspiration directly from the former brewery's facade, with its original bricks and green metal gates influencing the interior palette. The vibrant green railings, referencing the historic structure, weave through the interior like a recurring motif, creating visual continuity throughout the space.
When furnishing the newly interpreted apartment, Sitzler demonstrated flexibility, focusing more on creating the perfect framework for family life rather than filling it with prescribed furniture. The owners had their own beloved furniture pieces that they wanted to incorporate back into the space. His philosophy is clear: good architecture doesn't require curated furniture but can accommodate free decoration by the residents. The results prove him absolutely right in every respect.
The bathroom cleverly incorporates the industrial character of the architecture through pastel-colored tiles with a brick appearance. The upper gallery guest room creates a cozy atmosphere through the architect's use of curtains and cushions, demonstrating how soft furnishings can warm industrial spaces.
Christopher Sitzler, who has been an independent architect since 2018 after working in renowned offices in Germany and Switzerland, emphasizes the importance of client collaboration: "Engaging with the family and understanding how they want to live in the future helped develop the project."
The jury's verdict praised the project's understated excellence: "This apartment renovation in Berlin-Kreuzberg is convincing in many respects. Here, no grand gestures were used, but rather a clear view of the essential: the needs of the residents, the qualities of the existing structure, the future viability of the space. What this project also proves: good interior architecture doesn't need a strictly curated furniture concept - it creates spaces that function with the favorite pieces of their inhabitants and allow the individuality of the users to become visible."
The renovation encompasses 240 square meters of living space within a total area of 260 square meters, completed in May 2023 for the four-person family. The project exemplifies sustainable and intelligent development of existing structures rather than pursuing flashy statements.
The "Best of Interior" Award for interior designers and architects is presented annually by Callwey Verlag. This year's jury included previous winners Olivia Sommer and David Gössler from AADA, Carsten Wiewiorra (President of the Federation of German Interior Designers and Architects), and several specialist journalists. The winning projects are featured in the book "Best of Interior 2025," showcasing the 50 best projects from the award competition.
