With the renovation of the grain experimental granary, completed in 2023, Berlin's Europacity district has regained a striking, widely visible landmark. The former granary, originally a six-story brick building, was built in 1897 as a research laboratory for grain storage. By adding seven stories and redesigning the roof area, the building's original historical form was restored.

Spacious roof terraces with a total area of 120 square meters were created on both sides of the building. These were covered with Naturinform's Compact WPC decking, offering an aesthetically pleasing yet functional solution. The custom-made decking in brick red echoes the historic and new bricks of the monochrome façade and blends harmoniously into the overall architectural design.

Revival of a monument

After years of vacancy and temporary cultural use, the grain test warehouse was comprehensively renovated as part of the Moabit district development project and in close coordination with the monument preservation authorities. The careful and sustainable revitalization of the building was carried out according to plans by AFF Architekten, who specialize in the renovation of historic buildings. The goal of ADLER Real Estate and developer Taurecon was to preserve the appearance and historical elements of this industrial monument as much as possible.

The clinker brick façade was carefully repaired and insulated, while the windows were renewed in consultation with the monument preservation authorities and partially replaced with large-format panoramic windows.

Addition of an attic floor

An additional attic, slightly set back from the existing building, expands the available space. Large roof terraces on both sides of the building create additional open space and offer impressive views of the city and the water.

The monochrome extension blends harmoniously into the overall historical appearance, while the door frames and terrace flooring are colour-coordinated with the clinker brick.

When choosing decking, builders and architects placed great importance on the following criteria:

• Colour: The chosen colour should perfectly match the new bricks of the extension.
• Durability: The planks had to be resistant to the harsh weather conditions on the exposed roof surface.
• Sustainability: The material should be resource-saving, recyclable and thus correspond to the sustainable material concept of the project.
• Color stability: Despite varying weathering conditions, the color should be permanently preserved.

The final decision was made for Naturinform’s WPC decking Compact in brick red, which optimally meets all of these requirements.

Custom-made brick-red WPC planks create space

For the grain trial storage facility, the recyclable decking boards Compact from Naturinform were chosen, as they met all the requirements. After evaluating various color options, a custom-made version in brick red was chosen, which harmonizes perfectly with the raised brick facade. The boards were manufactured specifically for the project at the production facility in Redwitz an der Rodach.

The two roof terraces, with brick parapets and large sliding windows, create generous outdoor spaces and provide a deliberate contrast to the closed masonry façade. The monochrome color scheme of the high-quality WPC decking reinforces the feeling of spaciousness and blends seamlessly into the overall architectural concept.

"We chose WPC decking because, thanks to the use of recycled material—waste wood fibers from the wood processing industry—they offer a better environmental impact than conventional wood for outdoor use. Their durability even surpasses tropical wood. Furthermore, the wood fibers come from sustainable cultivation in domestic forests, which avoids long transport routes," explains architect Heide Siegmund-Schultze.

To avoid wastage, the planks were delivered in custom lengths of 2.40 meters and laid perpendicular to the building structure without any visible screws. The substructure and all accessories also come from the Naturinform range to ensure a durable and professional terrace solution.

Safe construction with durable materials

The assembly took place in several steps:

• Self-leveling patio feet ensured the necessary ground clearance and the required slope.
• The aluminum profile connectors were attached to this.
• The WPC boards were screwed together invisibly to ensure a homogeneous appearance.
• The open joints allow water to be drained directly into the gutters.

The renovation and extension of the grain experimental storage facility created a total of 2,500 square meters of gross floor space across seven levels. While the roof and ground floors are intended for public restaurant use, the remaining space will be leased as modern office units. This ensures sustainable use of the historic building while retaining its urban significance as a prominent landmark of Berlin-Moabit.

"We are delighted that our WPC decking Compact in brick red could contribute to the revitalization of this industrial monument. The combination of durability, recyclability, and customized color design makes it the perfect solution for a sustainable, architecturally sophisticated project." – Horst Walther, Managing Partner of Naturinform.

Durable, easy to maintain and safe: The advantages of Compact

Maintenance-free, weather-resistant, and slip-resistant properties played a key role in the selection of the decking. Compact was chosen for its secure grip, even in wet conditions. This solid decking has been proven in public areas for years and offers two surface options:

• Finely grooved
• Block stripes

Both versions are brushed to increase slip resistance. Here, the finely grooved side was installed, offering a high level of safety with a slip resistance rating of R11 – certified by TÜV Rheinland.

Focus on sustainability and environmental friendliness

Naturinform attaches great importance to environmentally friendly production:

• WPC boards do not require any varnishes or oils as they are dyed at the factory.
• Customers can choose from up to 31 colors.
• The material is 100% recyclable and can be reused up to 25 times.
• The company’s own recycling system (“Re-Form Recycling Box”) ensures that valuable raw materials remain in the cycle for up to 600 years.
• PEFC-certified wood fibers come exclusively from sustainable forestry.

Unlike conventional wood, Naturinform floorboards require no environmentally harmful chemicals for maintenance. Clean water is sufficient for cleaning – without releasing microplastics.

International Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are available for all Naturinform decking and facade profiles. All products undergo regular quality controls and stress tests to ensure consistently high wood-based material quality.

By using WPC boards, the grain test storage facility is not only architecturally enhanced, but also sustainably secured for the future.