Civilian was the design architect and interior designer for two ground-up residences for Bard College in Berlin. The design contributes to a sense of place by drawing inspiration from the city’s extraordinary design heritage and creative energy. Contrasting material gestures were deployed across the twin residential buildings, putting them in tension with the surrounding neo-Bauhaus campus architecture. Indoors, the residences are furnished with a combination of refinished, vintage, and custom furniture sourced from sustainably-harvested materials. Apartment schemes are flexible, and the furniture can also be easily configured, reconfigured, and adapted for future uses. The project displays an elevated and historically-informed approach to the design of social living spaces for young people, enhancing wellbeing and interaction. It connects them to a close-knit intellectual community and a rich local history, helping advance Bard College Berlin’s goal of preparing them for a future of intellectual engagement and civic contribution.