During the Cold War, some remarkable big buildings emerged in West Berlin as new locations for science, research and the arts. After years of neglect and now technically obsolete, most of these buildings are threatened with demolition. Examples are the International Congress Centre (ICC, 1973-1979) and the onetime Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology (1969-1974) in Charlottenburg, and the former Central Animal Laboratories (nicknamed “Mouse Bunker”, 1971-1981) at the Freie Universität in Lichterfelde. With their futuristic shapes, materials and functional complexity combined with innovative façade design, they embodied a contemporary belief in progress. They were also intended to uphold the competitive credentials of this walled-off half-city in the international arena.
Ever since they appeared, these architectures have often been criticised as unsightly and inefficient. That view is being challenged today by a group of academics, cultural workers and politicians who appreciate them as impressive achievements of modern Western technology. The exhibition flags up current efforts to preserve and revitalise this cultural legacy of historical significance. The new thinking is presented alongside construction documents and films from the museum’s collection, some never displayed before, to tell the story of how these projects were conceived and implemented. Meanwhile, contemporary artworks illustrate a variety of artistic takes on these striking icons of the 1970s. On show are proposals by prestigious Berlin partnerships. All of them recognise the existing buildings as valuable resources with a role to play in the identity of their users. The ideas encourage reflection about infusing such architecture with new lifestyles and about how the construction sector can contribute effectively to the energy transition. The exhibits, approximately 150 in number, reflect the work of about 20 architects, planning consultants, photographers and artists.
Opening on 25.5. at 7 pm
Admission from 6 pm
Opening on 25.5. at 7 pm
Admission from 6 pm
Reopening Architects and artists:
Barkow Leibinger, Bureau N und Something Fantastic, b+ (bplus.xyz), Fehling+Gogel, GRAFT, G+M Hänska, Kleihues + Kleihues, J. Mayer H., Ralf Schüler & Ursulina Schüler-Witte, Neuner & Böving, Bulla & Huth, Nathan Eddy, Kay Fingerle, Beate Gütschow, Matthias Hoch, Frank Oehring, Tracey Snelling
