Since the turn of the twentieth century, residents of Berlin have visited Bad Saarow, a summer resort on Lake Scharmützelsee. Located 70 kilometres east of the city, the area is known for its thermal spring and has become a place of relaxation and convalescence. The first villas were built in 1906 among wooded grounds, including several summer houses in Saarow-Pieskow designed by the landscape architect Ludwig Lesser and architects Emil and Ernst Kopp.

Continuing the resort’s heritage as a popular recreational destination, a planning area is being developed on the western shore of the lake, consisting of hotels, a marina with yacht club, holiday apartments and private apartments. The Marina Apartments complex is composed of four structures, informally distributed within a pine forest, sloping down towards the lake.

The 45 holiday apartments are contained within three staggered rectilinear buildings that run perpendicular to the lake shore. The three to four-storey buildings are clad in vertical strips of dark wood that reflect the surrounding forest. Floor-to-ceiling windows run flush along the long façades while recessed balconies and roof terraces face the marina and lake. A fourth, two-story building houses eight private apartments. Located to the north of the site it is clad in grey stone masonry and has a pitched roof with prominent gable ends, creating a strong contrast to the holiday apartments. Turned slightly in comparison to the other buildings, the terraces and balconies open up to the lake.