The owners of a small loft flat in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg district decided to renovate it. They entrusted the design of their dream home to the Bruzkus Greenberg studio, which proposed a characterful concept based on colour, light and space. The project, named Blue Box, completely transformed this 75-metre flat, whose biggest problem was an impractical layout with numerous partition walls and an unused fireplace blocking the flow of the space.
The Blue Box project in Berlin
Originally, the interior was divided into several small rooms, some of which did not even have access to natural light. However, from the outset, the owners were captivated by something else entirely. Once all the doors were opened, a breeze flowed freely through the entire flat. That is why the architects decided to capitalise on this potential. They removed all the partition walls from the main area, as well as the disused fireplace standing by the stairs leading to the terrace. In its place, a full-sized dining area was created – the new heart of the home. Around it, a dark blue wooden cube was designed, from which the project took its name. The built-in units house bookshelves, storage compartments, a bench and elements concealing the stairs, whilst its form draws the eye further in, making the flat appear larger. You enter the interior through a darker, lower-ceilinged area, followed by a bright, high-ceilinged space with a skylight.
Blue in the interior and contrasts
The main theme of the design is the juxtaposition of two shades of blue. The core of the flat is made of wood finished with a dark navy blue stain, which has allowed the wood grain to remain visible. A light blue hue appears on the sloping ceiling, the stairs leading to the roof, and the curtain separating the bedroom. According to the designers, this technique draws the eye upwards and enhances the impression of spaciousness. The colour scheme is broken up by the bespoke butter-yellow Sophia 3000 sofa, designed specifically for this interior. Its modules are all the same width and depth, and the cylindrical rollers can be moved freely, changing their function from a backrest to a headrest. Numerous mirrors have also been incorporated into the interior. They cover the fronts of the tall built-in units, the wall by the entrance and an existing structural column. Light is reflected in many directions, partially blurring the boundaries between the rooms.
A stylish flat in Berlin
The bedroom is a room that opens onto the living area. However, privacy is ensured by a light blue curtain, which can be completely tucked away into the built-in units. During the day, the flat functions as a single open-plan space with natural airflow, whilst in the evening it easily transforms into a more intimate interior. A small workspace has been set up behind the headboard. The roof above the flat, in turn, has been treated as an additional room. The terrace features built-in benches that double as storage for cushions and a place to relax with a view over the rooftops of Prenzlauer Berg. The architects selected the furnishings with great attention to detail. The flat features, amongst other things, an Apollo table by Westwing, Rey chairs from HAY, lamps by Vibia, Audo and Zara Home, a Beni Ouarain rug and a vintage kilim. The walls were painted with KOLORS paints in Warm White and Sky Blue, whilst Tabu ash veneer was used for the built-in units. The Bruzkus Greenberg design is complemented by paintings by Kim Bartelt and decorative objects by Milena Kling, selected by Studio Coucou.
The Blue Box project is based on contrast
Blue Box aptly reflects the design approach developed by Ester Bruzkus and Peter Greenberg. The architects are keen to juxtapose opposites, ranging from soft and hard forms, through raw and smooth materials, to bold colour combinations. In their view, the lightness of the interior stems from the open-plan layout, but the contrast between the apartment’s dark core and its light surroundings is equally important. The designers also emphasise that the roof terrace should be treated on a par with the other rooms in the house.
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About the studio:
Bruzkus Greenberg has been based in Berlin since 2002. It was founded by Ester Bruzkus, who has been running the practice jointly with Peter Greenberg since 2016; the studio adopted its current name in 2025. Their internationally award-winning portfolio includes projects for furniture, restaurants, hotels, flats, offices and exhibition spaces. The architects focus on clear concepts, precise design, bold combinations of colours and materials, and the interplay of contrasts between forms, textures and scale. They draw inspiration from architecture, art, film, music, literature and photography, as well as from the surrounding landscape and everyday observations, creating interiors full of surprising details and unexpected combinations.
design: Bruzkus Greenberg
team: Ester Bruzkus and Peter Greenberg
photography: Pion Studio
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