A former prison in Berlin has found a new lease of life as an unconventional hospitality destination, where historic architecture, contemporary design, and thoughtful details come together. At its heart is a bathroom concept by AXOR that transforms an everyday ritual into a memorable experience.
Built in 1906, the former correctional facility is now a protected historical site in Berlin’s Lichterfelde neighbourhood. Once associated with prison life and later used as a filming location, the building has been reimagined by entrepreneur Dr Joachim Köhrich and event manager Janina Atmadi as The Knast, a destination for dining, art, and hospitality.
The transformation began with a desire to preserve the building’s distinctive character while introducing a more inviting atmosphere. The site already houses a restaurant, bar, and creative spaces, with a boutique hotel comprising nine rooms in the former cell block and four attic suites set to join the mix.
(Related: AXOR brings timeless elegance to Park Lane Copenhagen's boutique hotel experience)
- WHERE CONTRASTS COME TOGETHER
- DESIGNED TO LAST
Where Contrasts Come Together
For Köhrich, the bathroom is an essential part of the hospitality experience. Having encountered memorable bathrooms during his travels, he sees them as an opportunity to distinguish a property through design and quality. AXOR was a natural choice, offering a broad range of products that allow for individual expression while delivering lasting performance.
At The Knast, the design concept centres on contrast. The exposed steel beams and shallow arches of the former cells inspired a palette of black, red and copper, creating a warmer counterpoint to the building’s austere architecture.
AXOR faucets and showers in a Polished Red Gold finish introduce a coppery lustre that catches the light against matt black mosaic tiles. The result is a striking interplay of textures and reflections, set against the original steel bars outside the windows.
The choice of fixtures also reinforces the building’s industrial character. The cage-like AXOR LampShower combines lighting with a showerhead, while the AXOR Showerpipe by Front, with its exposed pipes, funnels, and valves, complements the historic surroundings. In another suite, the AXOR ShowerHeaven delivers water from multiple directions, creating an immersive showering experience.
- WHERE CONTRASTS COME TOGETHER
- DESIGNED TO LAST
Designed to Last
Beyond aesthetics, durability is central to Köhrich’s approach to design. He believes in choosing quality from the outset, creating spaces that can be enjoyed for decades rather than continually updated.
This philosophy aligns with AXOR’s focus on considered design, craftsmanship, and longevity. Developed in collaboration with internationally renowned designers, its faucets, showers, and accessories offer a range of styles for distinctive bathroom interiors.
At The Knast, the result is more than a visual transformation. By introducing warmth, comfort, and sensory appeal into a building once defined by confinement, the bathroom becomes an integral part of the guest experience. It is a reminder that thoughtful design can give historic spaces a new purpose while preserving the character that makes them unique.
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