An Artful Refuge in Berlin
In Berlin's Schöneberg district, model and scientist Luca Aimée Kröger and artist carl tagaert, have made their home. A continuously evolving space, with visiting artists contributing their works, turning it into a vibrant Gesamtkunstwerk.
“‘I naturally tend to think in possibilities; how to make the world of tomorrow a brighter place’”
From the expansive windows on the top floor of the warehouse where Luca and Carl's apartment is located, there is a sweeping view of the Berlin skyline. The abandoned railway tracks, the lush greenery of Gleisdreieck Park, and the towering Fernsehturm on Alexanderplatz, Germany's tallest building, set a captivating scene. Daylight streams in, casting playful shadows in the morning and warming the space for the rest of the day. ‘We are the lucky ones with heating,’ laughs Carl (29). ‘Our neighbor really relies on that sunlight. He's lived here for fourteen years without a radiator. The Berlin winters can feel almost Russian, with temperatures dipping well below freezing.’ How does he stay warm? ‘He has a big dog,’ Carl deadpans with a smile.
One of the reasons Luca (31) chose to live here is the sense of community. 'Berlin can be an anonymous, somewhat cold and stern city. But here, people from all walks of life mingle and help each other wherever they can. This is an old building from 1902. Very beautiful, but poorly maintained, so we rely on each other when needed,' she explains. Luca shares her vision for the interior: 'Upon entering, I want it to feel like a warm embrace. Cozy and light with the white floors, perfectly snug.' The twenty-meter-high walls have been left bare and stripped. Scribbles, drawings, and notes from previous residents and construction workers are scattered around like secret messages. 'It shouldn’t be too polished,' Luca believes. 'That wouldn’t suit a place like this. The space lives and breathes because of its imperfections.' The couple has complemented this aesthetic with solely second-hand and vintage furniture finds or heirlooms, like a reupholstered Biedermeier sofa from the 19th century. Luca and Carl’s apartment door is always open, often hosting other artists who can stay as long as they like. These guests create something that remains in the house, like Miró Ingmar Tiebe, who painted the ceiling at the entrance in a classic decorative style with a modern twist. Carl uses the guest room as a studio for his painting. 'It’s the most beautiful thing to see him immersed in his work,' says Luca. 'He gets into such deep concentration and flow that he loses track of time. After eight hours, I have to remind him to eat.’
During the interview, Luca often complements Carl – whom she affectionately calls ‘Carli’ – as she chimes in with her own anecdotes and observations. By chance, this conversation isn’t taking place in Berlin, but in the Marais district of Paris, as it happens that all three of us are here at the same time. They make an elegant pair, accompanied by their little dog, Feiva. Him, sporting dark curls and a vintage leather Jil Sander jacket, and her, with striking ice-blue eyes, not a hint of makeup, gold earrings gifted by sustainable designer Jorinde Barke, a tailored black coat, and sturdy boots. Both come across as calm, thoughtful, and kind, and on this crisp but cold day, the affection between them is palpably evident.
A cat with nine lives – that's one way to describe Luca. At just thirty-one, she's already navigated a series of vibrant and seemingly contrasting life chapters. She spent twelve years with the circus, earned degrees in psychology and neuroscience, worked as a coach for top executives, started modeling internationally at thirteen, which also brought her to New York for two years, ran her own restaurant in her hometown of Hamburg, and is now diving into interior design like her mother while advocating for nature and climate issues. Are we up to nine lives yet? For Luca, this is just the beginning. ‘It’s just who I am,’ she laughs. ‘I don’t overthink things; if I’m interested in something, I just go for it. I’m not afraid of falling flat on my face.’
Luca credits the circus and modeling with bringing her out of her shell – ‘as a child, I was so shy I could barely speak’ – and her extensive travels have broadened her perspective. In her coaching work, she wasn’t afraid to venture off the beaten path. ‘After graduating, I was invited to lead part-time leadership training sessions. It was fascinating. Almost everyone remembers their boss, but not every single one of their colleagues. Experiences with authority figures can truly shape your (working) life and identity, so how can we improve this? I like to focus on the theme of “resilience”, a term not often used in boardrooms. But what the data shows is that a transcendent experience can help with this. That’s why I once had a group of sixty male and female leaders from the rather conservative, traditional construction industry – mostly hailing from small German towns – participate in a cacao ceremony. One person walked out, the rest were like, “what in the world is going on”, but they did it anyway. Afterward, I was booked again, so I must have done something right,’ she laughs. ‘I always thought I wanted to be a scientist. It was an incredible experience because I also coached women into and up to top positions, and we need many more of them. That glass ceiling is far from broken. But for now, I want to focus more on artistic expression.’
Carl's venture into the worlds of fashion and design was somewhat unconventional. He explains, ‘I was a high school dropout – not exactly book smart – and I left school at fifteen. Thankfully, my parents trusted me and let me find my own way.’ Luca adds, ‘We both come from warm, supportive families in Hamburg. We weren’t wealthy, but we had everything we needed. Hamburg is often described as the middle ground between Berlin and Munich – “left posh,”’ she laughs. ‘Like many guys, Carl was fascinated by cars, so it was as simple as: let’s become a mechanic.’ After a few years, Carl decided he wanted to pursue further studies, and his technical background proved invaluable. This was true not only for the fashion course at HTW Berlin, where he studied under the legendary British-Cypriot designer and professor Hussein Chalayan, but also for another creative field he stumbled into – set design, particularly for commercials and music videos. Carl recalls, ‘I had a part-time job as a driver during my studies, taking people to and from film sets. I’d often lend a hand to the set designer, as I had a lot of knowledge about materials and machines and enjoyed working with my hands. One day, he asked, “Are you employed by the production company?” When I said no, he replied, “Okay, from now on, you’re working for me.” Together, we went on to design all sorts of projects.’
Ever since Carl has emerged as a multi-talented creator. Beyond his practical skills, painting serves as an emotional and artistic outlet for him. He creates monumental, abstract oil paintings in his home studio, using them as a means to express and process his inner world. ‘By working through my emotions,’ the artist explains, 'At the academy, I had drawing and painting classes, but I really began creating large canvases after the completely unexpected passing of my father. I channeled that raw grief into my graduation collection, guided by Chalayan, who asked me such profound questions. Usually, it's about whether something will become a pair of trousers or a jacket. But with Chalayan, it was more about how much of yourself you're willing to reveal, how vulnerable you dare to be, and where your boundaries lie. That really affected me. I remember referencing a lot of films and music that my father loved. He was a child of the 1960s student revolution movement – a free spirit, highly intelligent, gentle, and a huge music lover! A friend of his would come over, they'd put on a Phil Collins or Pink Floyd concert, and they would just sit there for hours in their own bubble, completely absorbed. He once even sneaked into a Rolling Stones concert.'
Carl reflects on his father lovingly, which helps make the loss somewhat bearable: 'I once read that grief is simply a transformed version of the love you have for that person. I will never stop loving my father, so I will always carry that feeling with me. Sometimes it hits me hard all of a sudden and I find myself crying for hours on end, though it’s happening less and less. Of course, such a significant loss doesn’t carry a positive connotation, but grief is a testament to the fact that the person was and is meaningful, that they were truly important to you and will always be with you.’ For Luca, it took some adjustment to navigate such a profound loss that wasn’t hers directly, but severely affected her partner. ‘I think it ultimately brought us closer together and made me feel more connected to your family,’ she says, glancing at Carl. The funeral was held at her then-restaurant, which Luca describes as being inspired by ‘generosity rather than transaction.’ ‘You’d buy drinks and receive Mediterranean-inspired, mostly plant-based surprise bites along with them.’
An eatery in the heart of Hamburg’s Red Light District – certainly not the most conventional venue, but one with soul and personality,’ Carl adds. ‘It was an intimate reflection of my father’s life. My mother said, "I’m not the type to visit cemeteries, so you two choose what feels right." My brothers wanted something small and private, so the farewell at the cemetery was intimate, with just five of us. But I wanted a celebration. I never imagined a funeral could be so uplifting; so many beautiful stories, laughter, and tears – it was truly special.’ Carl’s and Luca’s mothers took charge of the open kitchen, and whenever it all became too overwhelming for Carl, he could slip away with a plate in hand, saying, "just checking if they need me in the back.’
As summer came to a close in 2018, Luca and Carl met through mutual friends while she was visiting from New York. They're not quite sure when their relationship officially began, but one significant bonding experience stands out – deep in the Hambach Forest in western Germany. In 2020, activists erected barricades and treehouses to protect this part of the forest from energy companies that planned to clear everything, including inhabited areas. Luca recalls, ‘No one dared to leave because their homes would be demolished the moment they did. Eventually, everyone was set to be evacuated, so action was essential. I’ve never experienced anything like it; this group of activists formed a beautiful, close-knit community, fiercely dedicated to protecting both people and the environment.’
It wasn’t easy, though. With civil disobedience comes a set of rules – they couldn’t bring tents, so they slept on the ground in sleeping bags, helped the residents build new shelters, and ate whatever was donated. ‘A lot of canned food,’ Luca laughs. ‘So afterward, Carl said, “I’m craving fries!” We drove to Antwerp, where we stayed for a few more days.’
In the end, this patch of green in the German forest was saved, thanks to the collective protest and a major legal case. Carl adds, ‘A protected species was discovered, some rare snail or something, and in the name of biodiversity, the forest had to remain untouched. There’s so much monoculture in Europe these days, whereas this used to be ancient woodland – Ireland even had a rainforest.’
Luca doesn’t label herself a climate activist, nor does she attend that many climate protests, but the issue has been on her mind for quite some time. She hasn’t bought anything new in seven years – neither clothing nor home decor. Luca explains, ‘I work as a model, so there’s a paradox, but I try to maintain balance. If my agent books me for a big brand that might not be particularly sustainable, I usually accept, but when it comes to collaborations on my own Instagram account or my personal wardrobe, I find it important to stay true to my values. Sometimes I receive something from a friend who's a local designer or from a sustainable brand, and other than that, I only shop on Vestiaire Collective or Vinted. Ideally, no fast fashion, unless it’s an incredible flea market find.’
The highlights of her modeling career also touch on eco-consciousness. Recently, she was on the cover of Vogue Portugal, a special issue entirely dedicated to sustainability. Luca shares, ‘I didn’t know that until the issue was released, which was a lovely surprise! Another cherished moment was working with Julie Pelipas, stylist and fashion director of Vogue Ukraine and founder of the upcycling label Bettter. We met on the Greek island of Hydra, where she discovered me on the beach. It was one of my most memorable shoots because, in my eyes, Julie embodies what fashion should be – visionary, kind, professional, always thinking of others. She helped all her Ukrainian staff start new lives in Portugal while continuing to support her country during the war. Truly a role model,’ she then adds, hesitantly. ‘I’ve also seen a much darker side of the fashion world – unprofessional, intimidating. I’ve experienced it all: derogatory remarks, inappropriate touches.’
Despite it all, Luca remains optimistic. ‘You know,’ she says, ‘I read somewhere that people either think in the past, the present, or the future. I live in the future and always think in terms of possibilities, about how tomorrow’s world can be more beautiful.’
