Neither idealised nor neglected (in progress)

This project documents council housing estates across Berlin, focusing on the everyday life, architecture, and long-term maintenance of these residential environments. Built to respond to housing shortages and social needs, these estates are often perceived through outdated stereotypes. In reality, many remain carefully managed, inhabited, and integrated into the urban fabric.

Through a neutral, architectural approach, the work explores how design, scale, and public space shape daily routines. Facades, courtyards, entrances, and communal areas are photographed as they are used and lived in, neither idealised nor neglected.

Berlin’s council housing reflects a model where affordability, dignity, and continuity coexist. Rather than monuments, these buildings function as stable frameworks for everyday life. The project aims to question assumptions around social housing and highlight its role in shaping a resilient and inclusive city.

Berlin, Germany