Blue high-rise Cottbus

The high-rise building in the Spremberg suburb of Cottbus, which was also known as the "Blue House", underwent a comprehensive transformation. Originally, the 13-storey building was scheduled for demolition due to outdated fire protection, soundproofing and structural requirements. Instead, a complete refurbishment and modernization was carried out, converting 125 one-bedroom apartments into 61 modern apartments and maisonettes.

The main challenge of the refurbishment was to adapt the building fabric to current standards. The thin ceilings were filled with fill and a thin screed system to improve sound insulation, and structurally relevant walls had to be retained and reinforced. At the same time, comprehensive insulation measures, new windows and doors as well as optimized floor and roof structures reduced the building's energy requirements to the KfW 100 standard.

The high-rise now offers barrier-free, senior-friendly apartments of between 35 and 120 square meters, equipped with modern amenities such as underfloor heating, fitted kitchens and balconies. In addition, a new residential and commercial building was built opposite, which meets the KfW 50 standard and offers space for service apartments and social facilities. The "Blue House" impressively demonstrates how sustainable refurbishment instead of demolition can contribute to the creation of modern living space and that building in existing buildings plays a key role in resource-saving urban development.