FEMINA PALAST
Hidden behind the façades of Berlin-Schöneberg, the historic courtyard of the former Femina-Tanzpalast is undergoing a bold transformation. Once fully sealed and lifeless, the paved surface is being opened up and reimagined as a climate-active garden landscape. By removing impervious materials, the courtyard becomes permeable again, a living system capable of absorbing and storing rainwater, cooling its microclimate, and offering space for new ecological habitats.
The design introduces a mosaic of diverse green spaces that respond to the site’s topography, shade, and solar exposure. Formerly neglected surfaces evolve into vibrant ecotypes that support urban biodiversity, from pollinator-friendly plantings to resilient groundcover and small tree clusters.
The shady slope
Der Schattenhang
A lush, sunken entrance garden.
Along the main link, a green, shady slope forms the connection to the lower-lying office areas.
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Der Schattenhang
A lush, sunken entrance garden.
Along the main link, a green, shady slope forms the connection to the lower-lying office areas.
The Blue Stage
Die Blau Bühne
Central, sunken multi-purpose space in a semi-private zone for events and outdoor meetings. Between naturalistic planting a central element, a water square transforms into a blue backdrop and play element in the rainy seasons.
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Die Blau Bühne
Central, sunken multi-purpose space in a semi-private zone for events and outdoor meetings. Between naturalistic planting a central element, a water square transforms into a blue backdrop and play element in the rainy seasons.
The sunny slope
Der Sonnenhang
The sunlit, stepped amphitheatre landscape offers a lush entrance area,
a place to meet and relax.
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Der Sonnenhang
The sunlit, stepped amphitheatre landscape offers a lush entrance area,
a place to meet and relax.
Circular rainwater management becomes a driving element of the courtyard’s transformation.
Instead of draining away, rainwater is captured, filtered and stored directly on site to irrigate the vegetation and stabilize the microclimate throughout the year.
Visible blue features such as shallow runnels, retention basins or playful water edges express the movement and presence of water in the courtyard, turning a technical system into a sensory experience.
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Instead of draining away, rainwater is captured, filtered and stored directly on site to irrigate the vegetation and stabilize the microclimate throughout the year.
Visible blue features such as shallow runnels, retention basins or playful water edges express the movement and presence of water in the courtyard, turning a technical system into a sensory experience.
Team — Henning Larsen Architects
Client — Signa Real Estate Management Germany GmbH
Area — 2440 m2
Year — 2024, Berlin, Germany
Status — Interrupted