Sun sail for the Of Eden – shading the Spree terrace in Berlin
The Of Eden sits right on the bank of the Spree in Berlin, with a view of the Oberbaum Bridge. Modern Oriental-Anatolian cuisine, architecture and lifestyle come together here. Generous glass surfaces, clear lines and the open terrace by the water shape the restaurant. This is where the key question arose: how do you create shade in a wind-exposed location without disturbing the architecture?
The challenge: wind, strict architecture – no parasols
The terrace on the Spree is the heart of the Of Eden. It is open to the water, with a view of the Oberbaum Bridge. Right there wind constantly blows through the gap between the buildings. With the striking architecture in mind, the building owner did not allow parasols. Classic solutions were therefore out. What was needed was shading that withstands the wind, does not cut up the seating area and is subordinate to the building.
A made-to-measure, retractable sun sail, precisely planned and tuned exactly to the windy Spree location.
The sail stretches over the terrace and protects both the outdoor area and the interior behind it from direct sunlight. At the same time the open view of the Spree stays completely free.
The control is fully automatic:
In the morning the sail extends via the sun sensor, in the evening it retracts again. The system is complemented by wind monitoring, which provides additional safety.
Particular attention was paid to architectural integration. The shading was meant to be subordinate to the striking building. It should not stand in front of it. Posts and brackets were placed and designed so that they visually recede and blend harmoniously into the façade.
The structural elements are discreet: columns, posts and brackets recede visually into the background. This creates a shading solution that is not perceived as a technical element but as a matter-of-course part of the architecture.
The sun sail noticeably reduces the heat on the terrace and keeps guests outside even on hot days. The large glass surfaces stay free, without lowered external blinds and without disturbing parasols.
The terrace by the water becomes a real dining room under the open sky: sheltered, calm and usable in almost any weather.
In the evening, too, it stays noticeably warmer underneath. The sail keeps the warmth on the terrace and does not let it escape into the night sky.
The sail extends automatically in the morning and retracts automatically in the evening. This is controlled by the light and wind sensor. In a storm with wind from wind force 7 (50–61 km/h) the sail retracts automatically.
The project on film
Course of the shade through the day
Already in the planning the shade is played through on the 3D model. Drag the slider through the day – for 21 June and 21 August, each from 8 am to 8 pm.
The most frequent question – answered here: what happens in wind?
Wind resistance is the question our customers ask most. This project shows the answer. The sun sail is wind-stable up to wind force 7 (50–61 km/h) and retracts fully automatically via the integrated wind sensor when wind picks up. So the terrace stays protected even in an exposed location, without anyone having to step in.
Project highlights
Shade without loss of view
The retractable sail shades terrace and interior without restricting the open view of the Spree and the Oberbaum Bridge.
Part of the architecture
Posts and brackets recede discreetly. The shading does not look technical but like a matter-of-course part of the building.
Fully automatic with wind sensor
Sun and wind sensors control the sail: it extends in the morning and retracts in the evening. In strong wind it rolls safely back in automatically – decisive at this exposed location.
Better indoor climate
The sail lowers the heat on the terrace and in the dining room – entirely without external blinds. The large glass surfaces stay completely free.
From the planning
Sails, tension masts and foundations were fitted exactly into the existing building together with the planning architect. A look at the execution documents.
“In this case there was no alternative to the sun sail.”
Dorothee Spitz · planning architect · original in German
The Of Eden in Berlin shows how shading works in a demanding architectural context: restrained, wind-resistant and precisely integrated. A retractable sun sail is subordinate to the building. It turns the terrace by the water into a favourite place usable all day.
More for planners: To the architects page