With: BuroHappold Engineering

Berlin’s courtyards were fundamentally shaped through the Hobrecht-Plan, leading to an urban layout in which deep courtyards have become a typical characteristic of the city’s architecture. The workshop by BuroHappold explores the potential of these courtyard layouts to respond to the current challenges of densification, gentrification and commercialisation. The responses involve the design of new microclimates, urban gardening, smart infill solutions etc. and are informed, for example by Cerdà’s green yard schemes for Barcelona, and the deep understanding of contemporary options for sustainable engineering. These themes are investigated by BuroHappold’s interdisciplinary and international team of urban planners, climate planners and engineers to form the foundation of a think-tank/strategy, which will continue to explore the topics after the conclusion of the MakeCity Festival.