Nowadays, temporary forms of living are becoming increasingly relevant, especially in large cities, as they must respond to mobility, international careers and flexible working practices. Though it is precisely where spaces are becoming more compact that there is an increase in the need to create atmosphere, materiality and careful spatial choreography.

For International Campus, a provider of student and urban accommodation, brandherm + krumrey interior architecture (b-k-i) is taking on precisely this challenge. For its HAVENS LIVING concept, b-k-i has created its fourth residential project – this time in Berlin-Charlottenburg. The result is 265 furnished single apartments ranging from 15 to 41 square meters, as well as spacious communal areas whose design combines private retreats with open areas for meeting, exchange and shared everyday life.
To achieve this, the former post office on Berlin’s Otto-Suhr-Allee, a listed building, was converted into a short-term residential complex that still feels like home and takes modern living realities seriously: whether for commuters, people who are in the city for studies or projects, or simply looking for a temporary stopover without compromising on quality.

The focus was on how to create a feeling of home in compact floor plans. The 29 apartment types make precise and conscious use of every square meter. Clear floor plans, integrated storage solutions and high-quality, durable materials create calm and structure, while selected colour accents and flexible furnishings contribute to the character of the residential units. What makes this special is that residents can choose between three interior design styles, so that the apartments can be tailored not only functionally but also aesthetically to personal preferences – a concept that enables individuality and identification in a small space.

In addition to the private living spaces, there are spacious communal areas: a lounge, roof terrace, communal kitchen, laundry, co-working spaces, meeting rooms and a gym. These are not intended as functional additions but rather create places that bring people together when needed, without imposing any obligations. The design is not instructive, but inviting, allowing interaction to grow organically.

Natural materials, warm colour schemes and clean lines create an atmosphere that has been a hallmark of b-k-i for years: well-being comes from simplicity, quality and balance. HAVENS LIVING Berlin shows how micro-living can become a high-quality way of living – not as a temporary solution, but as a consciously designed living space.

‘Today, temporary living means enabling peace and familiarity even in small spaces. The apartments and communal areas are designed to enable people to quickly find their bearings, settle in and live their everyday lives as a matter of course – without having to put up with temporary arrangements.’ – Melanie Leigers, interior architect at b-k-i