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Cube meets pastille

Advertorial Opened in October 2025, the Moabiter Kinderhof in Berlin is designed as an open space for the daily lives of children and young people in an urban environment. Kersten Kopp Architekten responded to the unique location between the park and the neighborhood with a complex of buildings consisting of several cubes reminiscent of building blocks, which blend harmoniously among the surrounding trees. The new building was constructed using timber; its structural framework consists of prefabricated modules that were manufactured in the factory and assembled on-site. The architecture is understood as a framework for openness, participation, and orientation. This guiding principle is consistently reflected in the choice of materials: Inside, the rubber flooring norament 926 with the iconic round pastille provides the ideal foundation for children constantly moving in and out between the playground and the building.

Cube meets pastille
© Werner Huthmacher

Spaces for Movement and Freedom

Long sightlines and generous window areas characterize the building and ensure fluid transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. In the spatial concept, the architects deliberately focused on spaciousness and flexibility. At the center is a versatile hall with an open kitchen; smaller multifunctional rooms, a coatroom, and adjacent rooms are grouped around it. “The flooring with the pastille is a perfect fit thanks to its durability,” says Torsten Suschke, the architect in charge of the project at Kersten Kopp Architekten. “Since the children spend a large part of their time outside and consequently bring dirt and small stones into the building, a flooring solution was needed that could withstand this wear and tear over the long term.”

Clarity and Comfort

The floor becomes an integral part of the architecture. “The surface with the round pastille has texture, yet appears calm and uniform,” adds Suschke. “It supports the architectural clarity of the space.” The Blue Angel-certified rubber tiles blend naturally into the rooms—some of which are up to six meters high—in a soft, warm shade of green, without imposing themselves on the space. Together with the warm wood and light colors, they create a clear, calm atmosphere that connects the areas.

Architecture
Kersten Kopp Architekten GmbH
Client
Bezirksamt Mitte, Berlin
Location
Seydlitzstraße 12, 10557 Berlin (DE)