Project 03: BEHR’SCHE VILLA DRESDEN

Dating from 1827, the Behr’sche Villa in Dresden, which once belonged to the former Saxon Minister of Finance August von Behr, had stood empty as a ruin for 30 years. It was saved from further decay and comprehensively refurbished. Converted into a modern office building, it now also houses TSSB’s Dresden office.

The building suffered from water damage, fire damage and dry rot on every floor, and its position in relation to street level made it look inconspicuous. The plinth was therefore built up to ground-floor level, the roof structure renewed and the villa completely gutted. By mirroring the existing right-hand extension on the left side, the building now presents a symmetrical overall appearance.

Like the exterior, the interior is organised according to the principle of symmetry. The historic staircase forms the central block, preserved in its original form and materiality. The two load-bearing concrete walls run through the entire volume, perpendicular to the central block. Two further blocks are then placed along this axis, symmetrical to the staircase. The three resulting blocks define the interior in a simple yet effective way: the toilets and kitchen are on the left, while the cloakroom is on the right.

A black-and-white colour scheme enhances the historic details that recall the building’s past. In turn, modern materials such as the black 3D tiles in the bathroom create interesting contrasts.

Every step was subject to strict requirements from the heritage authority, as the building’s overall appearance and historic fabric had to be preserved.