# Stacked Block Buildings The Winner of This Year's Volt Berlin Resembles a Stack of Building Blocks By Michael Baxter | Published 2014-05-18 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/volt-berlin References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/j-mayer-h-architects-volt-berlin-05-14-2014/) & [jmayerh.de](http://www.jmayerh.de/) This [colorful, mixed-usage building](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nantou-hybrid-building) by J. Mayer. H has been decided as the winning concept for 'Volt Berlin,' a center where shoppers can do all their shopping, rent out event space and even stay a while in the [hotel space](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hotel-hans). The cool thing isn't just what people can do in it though, it's the way the building has been designed. The building looks to be made of a variety of uneven blocks stacked beside and on top of each other. The look makes for an interesting illusion, but also holds its own functionality. The 'Volt' will essentially change the landscape of Berlin by providing an indoor skydiving center, indoor wave and a whole host of other goodies. Berlin has long been known as a utopia for youth and the Volt Berlin will only help establish that. Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/j-mayer-h-architects-volt-berlin-05-14-2014/), [jmayerh.de](http://www.jmayerh.de/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 60% | Activity: 55% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Mixed-usage Buildings:** The trend of designing buildings that serve multiple purposes, such as shopping, events, and accommodation, is disrupting traditional building designs. - **Unconventional Building Designs:** The trend of using uneven blocks stacked together in building designs creates visually intriguing structures that challenge traditional architectural norms. - **Indoor Activity Centers:** The trend of developing indoor recreational facilities like indoor skydiving and indoor wave pools offers new opportunities for entertainment and leisure. ### Where This Applies - **Real Estate:** Real estate developers can explore the concept of mixed-usage buildings to create versatile spaces that cater to various needs and attract a wider range of tenants or buyers. - **Architecture:** Architects and designers can experiment with unconventional building designs to create unique and visually striking structures that stand out in the urban landscape. - **Leisure and Entertainment:** Companies in the leisure and entertainment industry can capitalize on the trend of indoor activity centers by offering innovative and exciting indoor recreational experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Pixelated Illusion Housing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/van-b.md) - [Layered Office Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/schieblocks.md) - [Staggered Cubic Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ooda.md) - [Towering Wooden Block Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/capsule-tower.md) - [Vaulted Pink Complexes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/babel-housing-mexico.md) - [Rurally-Inspired City Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ziel-highrise-building.md) - [Lush Garden Housing Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/volante.md) - [Warped Stacked Residence Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quinta-do-rei.md) - [Gridded Urban Apartment Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-carboneria.md)