IBeB (Blumengroßmarkt)

IBeB, short for Integratives Bauprojekt am ehemaligen Blumengroßmarkt, is an innovative mixed-use housing project located in Berlin-Kreuzberg, directly opposite the Jewish Museum. Completed in 2018, this striking urban block was designed by architects ifau and Heide & von Beckerath in collaboration with the Selbstbaugenossenschaft Berlin eG cooperative. The project combines owner-occupied and cooperative apartments, artists' studios, and commercial spaces within a single building. It offers 66 residential units, 17 ateliers, and 3 commercial units, totaling 87 units. The building's design features a robust five-story structure with glazed brickwork surfaces, deeply recessed fronts, and protruding balconies on the southern façade. IBeB stands out for its strong participatory planning process, which allowed future residents to be involved in the design of their units. The project aims to provide affordable housing options in central Berlin while fostering a diverse and solidarity-based community. The building includes shared spaces such as a rue intérieure (interior street) and communal roof terraces to encourage social interaction among residents. The development prioritizes sustainability, using environmentally friendly materials and adhering to energy efficiency standards. Its central location and mixed-use concept contribute to the vibrant urban fabric of the neighborhood, offering a model for integrative and community-oriented housing in dense city centers.