MODERN BUILDINGS
1. Sony Center
The spectacular Sony Center, with its unique roof, is one of Berlin’s largest structures.
Glass membrane roof, Sony Center
2. Neue Nationalgalerie
This impressive structure (see Neue Nationalgalerie) was constructed in 1965–8 by Mies van der Rohe. It was the first building by the pioneering Bauhaus architect after his emigration to the USA. He made use of his earlier designs for the Havana headquarters of the Bacardi company, which had been abandoned after the Cuban Revolution. The collection here brings together the best of 20th-century art from Europe and North America.
3. Bundeskanzleramt
Willy-Brandt-Str. 1 • Not open to the public
Berliners are not too fond of the Chancellor’s modern offices, although this is the only government building to have been designed by a Berlin architect. Axel Schultes developed a vast, elongated office complex, which extends north of the Reichstag, in a bend of the Spree, even stretching across the river. In the centre of the hyper-modern building stands a gleaming white cube with round windows, which Berliners quickly nicknamed the “Washing Machine”. Critics describe the design as pompous, while civil servants dislike their small offices. The interior of the building is decorated with valuable modern paintings. The Chancellor’s office on the 7th floor has a view of the Reichstag building.
Exterior of the Bundeskanzleramt
4. Ludwig-Erhard-Haus
Fasanenstr. 85 • Open 8am–6pm Mon–Fri
The seat of the Berlin Stock Exchange, Ludwig-Erhard-Haus was designed by British architect Nicholas Grimshaw in 1994–8. Locals refer to it as the “armadillo”, because the 15 giant metal arches of the domed building recall the animal’s armour.
Ludwig-Erhard-Haus
5. Philharmonie and Kammermusiksaal
Two modern concert halls in the Kulturforum were designed by Hans Scharoun in 1961 and 1987 respectively – the Kammermusiksaal (chamber music hall) was completed after Scharoun’s death in 1972 according to his plans by his pupil Edgar Wisniewski. Both buildings are renowned for their excellent acoustics as well as for their tent-like roof structures.
6. Hauptbahnhof
Hauptbahnhof
Europe’s largest train station sits on the site of the historic Lehrter Bahnhof. This impressive glass and steel structure doubles as a retail and hospitality hub.
7. Quartiere 205–207 Friedrichstraße
The Galeries Lafayettes and the Friedrichstadtpassagen are based within these three office blocks designed by architects Nouvel, Pei and Ungers.
8. Nordische Botschaften
Rauchstr. • Gallery: open 10am–7pm Mon–Fri, 11am–4pm Sat & Sun • www.nordicembassies.org
No other embassy building has caused as much of a stir as this one housing five embassies of the Nordic countries: its green shutters open and close depending on the available light. Art exhibitions are held in the building on a regular basis.
9. DZ Bank on Pariser Platz
This elegant building (see DZ Bank) by Frank Owen Gehry combines Prussian and modern architecture. The giant dome inside is remarkable.
Spectacular interior of the DZ Bank
10. Kant-Dreieck
Kantstr. 155 • Open 9am–6pm Mon–Fri
The enormous “shark fin” on top of the KapHag-Group’s headquarters, built by Josef Paul Kleihues in 1992–5, has become a symbol of the new Berlin. The aluminium weather vane is designed to turn in the wind like a sail. Originally, the structure was to be built one-third higher than it is now, but the plans were vetoed by the Berlin Senate.
