Is it possible to design a flat around a single element? The Berlin-based studio Bruzkus Greenberg proves that it certainly is! In the 120-metrowy flat they designed, the star of the show is a green, freestanding and multifunctional structure. The ‘Green Box’ project was driven by the idea of creating a home for a couple that is both modern and cosy. Their Berlin penthouse is an oasis of exceptional style.
The space the architects took on was initially a stark penthouse with glazed façades on two sides and walls and ceilings of exposed concrete. The designers decided to retain this industrial character of the interior, moving away from the traditional division into separate rooms. At the centre of the elongated floor plan, they placed a bespoke green structure, set back from the walls and windows. The space flows freely around it, and the building’s structure is fully exposed. The structure itself conceals the kitchen, bathrooms and numerous built-in units, whilst the living and private areas are arranged around it.
The Bruzkus Greenberg design is based on a juxtaposition of opposites. Cool concrete surfaces contrast with the intense greenery of the central volume and a rich palette of materials. The interior features travertine, marble, quartzite, limestone, brass, stainless steel and coloured glass, complemented by striking fabrics designed by Josef Frank. As the owners lead a vegan lifestyle, they have avoided materials of animal origin. One example is a hand-tufted rug made from plant-based silk.
The most striking space in ‘The Green Box’ is the kitchen, which occupies the longer side of the structure. Here, green-and-purple natural quartzite is paired with lacquered wood and black glass, whilst sculptural lighting hangs above the island. The structure also conceals a retractable modular sauna, which remains out of sight on a day-to-day basis. The structure itself has its own ceiling and does not come into contact with the building’s concrete floor slab, functioning as a self-contained feature integrated into the interior.
Equally much attention has been paid to the bathroom. Green marble, light limestone, black steel and pink washbasins create an exceptionally interesting composition of materials and colours. A distinctive motif here is the circle, which appears in the form of furniture handles, a large mirror and a skylight above the shower. The architects emphasise that it is precisely the details and the way materials are combined that determine the quality of the design.
Throughout the flat, one can find design solutions intended to enhance the impression of a coherent and clear concept. The bookcase has been integrated into the shorter side of the green structure; the bedroom is fitted with built-in units concealing electronic equipment; and the mirrors visually enlarge the space and reflect the intense green of the central feature. Despite its bold colour scheme, the interior retains a sense of harmony and functionality. The architects describe their Berlin penthouse as a study in contrasts, where precise planning meets bold materials, rich textures and unexpected colour combinations, creating a space that is both modern and warm in feel.
–
About the practice:
Bruzkus Greenberghas 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 practice 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.
project: Bruzkus Greenberg
location: Berlin, Germany
team: Ester Bruzkus, Peter Greenberg, Svenja Bechtel, Martina Durrant, Arianna Petrulli
photography: Robert Rieger
See also:Flat|Interiors|Architecture|Berlin|whiteMAD on Instagram
