Cohousing / self-build

R50

A six-storey cohousing block with 19 apartments, shared rooms, and resident-shaped layouts in Berlin-Kreuzberg.

Facade of R50 in Berlin — Image courtesy of ifau, Jesko Fezer, and Heide & von Beckerath. Photography: Andrew Alberts

Full exterior view of the R50 housing block in Berlin — Image courtesy of ifau, Jesko Fezer, and Heide & von Beckerath. Photography: Andrew Alberts

Interior shared community space at R50 — Image courtesy of ifau, Jesko Fezer, and Heide & von Beckerath. Photography: Andrew Alberts

Staircase between floors at R50 — Image courtesy of ifau, Jesko Fezer, and Heide & von Beckerath. Photography: Andrew Alberts

Interior of one apartment at R50 — Image courtesy of ifau, Jesko Fezer, and Heide & von Beckerath. Photography: Andrew Alberts

Facade of R50 seen with neighbouring buildings — Image courtesy of ifau, Jesko Fezer, and Heide & von Beckerath. Photography: Andrew Alberts

Overview

R50 is a joint building venture in Berlin-Kreuzberg by ifau, Jesko Fezer, and Heide & von Beckerath. The six-storey building contains 19 apartments, shared rooms, balconies on each level, and collective outdoor spaces.

Why it matters

R50 shows how a simple structural frame can support both collective life and individual variation. The reinforced concrete structure, modular timber facade, exposed infrastructure, and continuous balconies give the apartments room to adapt.

The project also treats participation as part of the design process. Residents helped define apartment layouts, shared standards for fittings, and common spaces including a community room, laundry, workshop, garden, roof terrace, and summer kitchen.

Image credit

Images courtesy of ifau, Jesko Fezer, and Heide & von Beckerath