Berlin, 2007
Photo © Christian Gahl

After several years of vacancy, the Berolina House on Berlin's Alexanderplatz, built in 1929-31 by the pioneer of classical modernism, Peter Behrens, has been restored to its former glory.

Photo © Klemens Renner

Due to extensive structural damage, the building's characteristic façade had to be removed down to the shell and was carefully restored. The north-western gable wall of the Berolinahaus was given a new, independent face following the urban development paradigm shift at Alexanderplatz.

Photo © Klemens Renner
Photo © Klemens Renner

Both the north entrance on the new façade and the south entrance on Alexanderplatz were redesigned and given an elaborate door system in high-gloss golden brass and a prestigious vestibule in polished black-green serpentine.

Photo © Klemens Renner

The banisters, floor coverings and wall panelling playfully repeat the formal vocabulary used by Peter Behrens. On the upper floors, the original substance has been largely preserved.

Photos © Christian Gahl
Photo © Thomas Spier