"Flying Facades" in Berlin-Lichterfelde: Serial Renovation Accelerates the Heating Transition
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"Flying Facades" in Berlin-Lichterfelde: Serial Renovation Accelerates the Heat Transition
Berlin, May 27, 2026 – The ALEXANDRA-STIFTUNG, Hilfswerk-Siedlung GmbH, and ecoworks provided insights into a pioneering renovation project in Berlin-Lichterfelde today during a construction site event. On Veilchenstraße and Hyazinthenstraße, representatives from politics and the housing industry were able to watch live as a 1950s building complex is modernized to the KfW-55 standard using the innovative serial method.
Experience Expert Impulses and "Flying Facades" Live
The event focused on expert impulses for accelerating the heat transition as well as a practical demonstration of the technology. After the welcome, Prof. Petra Kahlfeldt (Senate Building Director), Dr. Hinrich Holm (Chairman of the Board of IBB), Dorit Brauns (Board Member of ALEXANDRA-STIFTUNG, Deputy Managing Director of Hilfswerk-Siedlung GmbH), and Emanuel Heisenberg (Founder and CEO of ecoworks) underscored the importance of serial solutions for the Berlin housing market.
Dorit Brauns highlighted the social dimension of the project:
"Climate protection does not only happen in new construction. It is fundamentally decided where most people already live: in existing buildings. Our goal is to think of living quality, climate protection, and affordability together."
Prof. Petra Kahlfeldt added from the Senate's perspective:
"With your facade project, you impressively show the potential inherent in innovative renovation methods. Serial retrofitting offers excellent conditions in terms of energy efficiency because it is implemented quickly, economically, and almost without disruption. You thereby support the achievement of Berlin's climate goals and simultaneously contribute to a socially balanced heat transition for tenants in light of currently rising energy costs."
The live demonstration of the so-called "flying facades" attracted particular interest: Prefabricated facade elements were precisely lifted and mounted onto the building by crane. The approximately 34 cm thick timber frame modules are produced at the factory complete with insulation, windows, and a ventilation system – this significantly shortens the construction time on site and minimizes the burden on the residents.
Emanuel Heisenberg, CEO of ecoworks, explained:
"We have had hardly any productivity increases in construction over the last 40 years. By relying on industrial prefabrication and robotics, we are massively changing that. This is the crucial lever to accelerate the heat transition and keep climate-friendly housing affordable."
About the Project
As part of the renovation on Veilchen- and Hyazinthenstraße, a total of 21 residential units covering approximately 1,043 m² are being made energetically future-proof. The buildings are receiving a highly insulated building envelope as well as new roof structures with large-scale photovoltaics for sustainable self-generated electricity. The existing balconies are being replaced by spacious, freestanding prefabricated aluminum balconies; inside, hydraulic balancing and basement ceiling insulation ensure thermal optimization. The holistic package of measures reduces the buildings' final energy demand by over 70% and creates living space that combines ecological responsibility with noticeably increased living comfort.
Further information: www.ecoworks.tech/projekt/berlin223
About the ALEXANDRA-STIFTUNG / Hilfswerk-Siedlung GmbH
The ALEXANDRA-STIFTUNG is the oldest housing company in Germany, with around 1,000 units in Berlin and Brandenburg. It was founded in 1852 to alleviate the housing shortage in growing Berlin. The foundation pursues the mission of preserving and developing affordable housing for broad segments of the population. Since 2001, the business management has been handled by the Hilfswerk-Siedlung GmbH Evangelisches Wohnungsunternehmen in Berlin.
Contact
presse@hws-berlin.de
www.hws-berlin.de
About ecoworks
ecoworks is the partner of the housing industry for affordable energy-efficient renovations. As a pioneer of serial retrofitting in Germany, ecoworks shifts 80% of value creation from the construction site to the factory. The Berlin-based company plans, designs, and installs facade and roof elements to renovate multi-family buildings to a NetZero standard within a few weeks. ecoworks is currently working on over 20 serial renovation projects nationwide and is considered one of the most innovative providers of climate technology in the building sector worldwide.
Contact
presse@ecoworks.tech
www.ecoworks.tech
