Atelier Gardens Transforms Berlin’s Historic BUFA Site with House 1’s Grand Opening

A century-old film studio gets a bold new life. Discover how Atelier Gardens is reshaping Berlin’s creative landscape with sustainability and community at its core.

, and Administrator

2026 January 24 . 7:01 PM

1 min read

The image shows a large building with a lot of windows on the side of it, surrounded by street... — The image shows a large building with a lot of windows on the side of it, surrounded by street poles, street lights, electric poles, electric cables, motor vehicles on the road, trees and a sky with clouds in the background. This building is part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, which has recently undergone a renovation.

Atelier Gardens Transforms Berlin’s Historic BUFA Site with House 1’s Grand Opening

Atelier Gardens has opened House 1, a repurposed office 365 building at the heart of its Berlin campus. The six-hectare site, once home to Berlin Union Film (BUFA), now serves as a hub for film production and social entrepreneurship. The new building marks a key step in the area’s ongoing regeneration.

The historic BUFA grounds have been undergoing a major transformation since 2019. Led by Fabrix, MVRDV, Hirschmüller Schindele Architekten, and Harris Bugg, the project follows a regenerative masterplan. Their goal is to revive the century-old film studio while honouring its heritage under the motto Celebrating Soul, Soil, and Society.

House 1, unveiled in late November 2023, stands as the campus’s new centrepiece. The 1,747-square-metre building features four flexible office floors, a concierge service, and a café-bar. Designed by MVRDV, it repurposes a long-vacant office block into a vibrant space for the growing community.

Selim P. Güngör, Campus Director and Managing Director of Atelier Gardens, highlighted the project’s positive impact on Berlin. Over the past five years, the site has expanded its teams, reinforcing its commitment to social and regenerative entrepreneurship.

House 1 now serves as a welcoming hub for visitors and businesses. The building’s redesign reflects the broader vision for Atelier Gardens—a blend of creativity, sustainability, and community. Further developments are expected as the campus continues to evolve.