philipp von matt hybridizes art and architecture with an artist house in berlin

the project balances the artist's professional and private life and combines both residential and exhibition programming.

kat barandy July 1, 2021 3 min

philipp von matt architects unveils its ‘O12 — artist house’ in the central mitte district of berlin. bright and sculptural, the new home and studio fosters a dialogue between art and architecture. the german project is realized after a continuous exchange between the architect and the private client, a well-known french artist. the result is a hybrid of artwork and architecture, that responds to the critical challenge of balancing professional and private life and combining both residential and gallery programming.

philipp von matt berlin
images © philipp von matt architects

philipp von matt architects designs the facade of its artist house in berlin as a seemingly arbitrary composition of openings — subtly recalling the rhythm of the surrounding buildings. the exterior shell betrays little hint of the interiors, enabling the discovery of the unashamed raw magnificence of the concrete staircase, upon entering the front door. the arrangement of the flights of stairs and the zenithal lighting, immediately evoke the atmosphere of piranesi’s drawings. here, the exposed concrete appears to be a timeless stone, while acascade of light draws the gaze upwards.

philipp von matt berlin

the ground floor of philipp von matt architects hosts mainly public programming, including a gallery and an exhibition space. the sequence of rooms unfolds along the stairway in a concatenation of monumental and intimate spaces, generously open to the west and with more modest rooms to the east. the first floor hosts the kitchen and the living area, while the second floor is entirely dedicated to the sleeping area. going up the stairs and following a path that seems to simultaneously compress and decompress spaces, guests finally reach the peak: the top floor exclusively occupied by the atelier.

philipp von matt berlin

natural light plays a central role as it influences the shift in atmosphere, with open, light-flooded rooms and more intimate, warmly lit ones. the rooftop studio’s large skylight lends the room the appearance of an atelier en plein air, with the glass roof serving as the sky. this resonance of light is amplified by the selective use of colors and materials. the hues of the rooms dedicated to art are delicate and neutral, while the shades in the living spaces become increasingly warm and inviting. the combination of different materials, from concrete and steel to wood and natural, earthy elements such as clay plaster, terracotta and ceramics, fuse to create surprising twists in the narrative of the space.

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