BERLIN POSTFUHRAMT
| Location: Berlin Mitte | Category: Renovation – New build – mixed use: culture, residential, etc. | Size: 20,000SQM | Status: Planning approved yet sold
Located in the very heart of Berlin-Mitte, the Postfuhramt is one of the city’s most important and cherished historical monuments. Neglected for over 15 years, we were approached to redesign it as an hotel. Yet it quickly became apparent to us that the building was ill suited to fulfill such a function and that a more complex mixed use program was required. What emerged is a plan for a vibrant and dynamic cultural center and a unique mixed-use development that could serve as an urban and cultural generator for the entire Mitte area. The scheme proposed two museums, various Art galleries, fashion outlets, restaurants and cafes, a hotel and luxury residential apartments. In formulating a scheme for the redevelopment of the Postfuhramt there were several important challenges, the greatest of which was how to incorporate a substantial new building within this historic neighborhood. Our aim was to create a contemporary building that would serve as a destination and not to be intimidated by the historic monument of the Postfuhramt, or by the surrounding setting. It was our view that if this project was to serve as a Generator, an appropriate architectural statement was required. In spite of the radical nature of our proposal, it was fully welcomed and approved by the municipality. When the financial crisis hit, the project was suspended and the site has recently been sold.
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