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At Impact Hub Berlin at CRCLR-House, LXSY Architektur transforms 4,690 m² of a former brewery in Berlin-Neukölln into a coworking and community space for TRNSFRM eG, shaped by material reuse, adaptability and circular design.
A finalist in the 2026 revalu Open Call, the project works with the existing industrial structure, combining reclaimed components, renewable materials and reversible construction systems. It demonstrates how a material strategy can shape not only what a space is made of, but also how it performs, adapts and evolves over time.
Rather than starting from scratch, the project embraces the existing building and develops a material strategy based on reuse, recyclability and resource efficiency. Around 70% of the materials are recycled or sustainably sourced, with components recovered from demolition sites, exhibitions, museums, surplus stock and local sources.
The approach moves between “as found” reuse and upcycling, allowing existing traces, different finishes and repurposed elements to become part of the architectural character rather than something to conceal.
Material reuse becomes an architectural language in its own right, giving the former industrial building a new identity without erasing its past.
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Studio%20Bowie%20-%20LXSY%20Architektur.jpg)
The material palette combines reclaimed windows and gratings, reused wood residues and surplus stock with renewable solutions such as hemp-lime walls, felt and straw panels.
These choices respond to different architectural requirements. Hemp, felt and straw contribute to acoustic comfort and indoor climate, while reclaimed components extend the useful life of existing resources.
Material selection therefore goes beyond sourcing, connecting reuse, technical performance, comfort and architectural expression within the same design strategy.
A timber gallery divides the industrial volume into two levels while preserving its spatial generosity. The resulting layout accommodates coworking areas, meeting rooms, lounges, phone booths, workshops and labs, while a publicly accessible café connects the project with the surrounding neighborhood.
Explore data for some of the materials and components used in Impact Hub Berlin.
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Studio%20Bowie%20-%20LXSY%20Architektur.jpg)
Circularity also shapes how the interior is assembled and how it can change.
Demountable, mono-material and standardized systems allow components to be separated, adapted and potentially reused beyond their current application. Product and material passports document individual elements to support future recovery.
This approach anticipates changing spatial needs rather than treating the current layout as permanent. Workspaces can evolve, components can be relocated, and materials can retain their value beyond a single use.
For other architects, the principle is transferable: identify reuse opportunities early, understand the properties of existing components, and design assemblies that can accommodate change without unnecessary material replacement.
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Impact Hub Berlin demonstrates how designing with existing resources can create adaptable, high-quality community spaces while preparing materials and building elements for their next life.
Use Impact Hub Berlin’s material strategy as a starting point for your project.
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