
At this grand development in trendyFlingern, a pair of high-class lifts continue the handsome, clean-lined style (2012)
What made the everyday life of the residents of the upper floors immensely easier, posed and still presents architects with numerous technical and especially design challenges: While for centuries it was mainly about designing opulent foyers and staircases with artistic railings, a completely new design has emerged, almost unlimited in form and variety for over 185 years. Sometimes breathtakingly designed as glass capsules shooting up and down, or completely unspectacular as a means of transport that takes one morning after morning to the office on the sixth floor. Sometimes with a good shaking through magnificent Art Nouveau buildings in old, wood-paneled cabins or jump up or down into the paternoster. In or out – up or down? The operation of a lift always follows the same principle.
This little showcase displays how tastefully you can move from floor to floor in the exclusive RALF SCHMITZ apartment buildings:
The grandeur of the Düsseldorf apartment building “Unter den Linden” in the trendy Flingern district is reflected both inside and out. RKW Architects, who carried out the planning of the property, also proceeded with the design of the spacious elevator with great care and great attention to detail: the contemporary interior design fitted with framed mirrors, cool marble and clear black and white suits its modern residents in the north of the Rhine metropolis perfectly.
Simplified forms, daring materials and striking geometry: the three essential foundations for the impressive Art Deco style elevator that welcomes its passengers in the inviting foyer of Haus Hardt in Berlin-Grunewald. Noble materials such as filigree braided brass and elegant natural stone require the highest quality craftsmanship in order to create such a tasteful interior – RALF SCHMITZ working with craftsmen who know how to execute such sophisticated architectural details

The Haus Hardt lift boasts a unique frame of laserwelded, stained steel sections and fine burnished brass mesh; inside, a floor of Grigio Carnico

An impressive stone lintel tops the entrance to this lift, which is exquisitely lit by an illuminated ceiling
Portal architecture: It is impressive how a historical architectural detail such as stone lintel tops manages to step into the present. The otherwise picturesque or sculptural field above, the door in Haus Ludwig in Berlin is more modest than its predecessors from Renaissance to Art Nouveau. In addition to the noble natural stone portal, references to architectural history are also provided by the coffered ceiling, which illuminates this elegant elevator.
The House Weyhe elevator is built in the style of the big metropolises. Whether it is due to the deep brown stained oak veneer, the shimmering chrome or the artfully laid natural stone that the sight of this vehicle reminds you of large apartment buildings such as the New York Dakota Building remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the international design language fits effortlessly into RALF SCHMITZ interiors and makes arriving at the Berlin domicile a very special one.

The warm-hued oak veneer of entrance hall and staircase is set off in the lift areaby chrome (2013)