Design

The Bierpinsel was built between 1972 and 1976 and is a typical example of the 70’s pop architecture. It was designed by Ralf Schüler and Ursulina Schüler-Witte, the same architects who created the conference center ICC Berlin. It is inspired by a tree and has an integrating function between the highway crossing and the city street underneath, which works pretty natural I think.

History of the Bierpinsel

Originally the 47 meter high building housed a restaurant with a panoramic view, called Turmrestaurant Stegliz. After serving free beer during the opening night it immediately received its nickname Bierpinsel (Beer Brush), because one side of the building has a brush-like shape. Although the word “Bierpinsel” is not an actual word, it made enough sense to keep naming the building like this. Maybe the name Bierseidel would have suited better, as the building actually looks a little bit like an old fashioned beer pint of the 70’s.

Since its opening in October 1976, it housed many -mainly gastronomical- businesses, but none of them managed to survive. The building has been closed since 2002, because it needed a substantial renovation. Due to several reasons nothing has been repaired yet, but there are plans to replace the colourful graffiti by its original red colour and to re-open the bar and restaurant after renovation works, which are planned for 2016. Hopefully this will become reality, 14 years after its closure. Until then you can only take a look at the Bierpinsel from the outside and make a selfie in front of it, like one does with the other famous landmarks which the first-time Berlin visitor just has to see.

More information

You find the Bierpinsel at the crossing Schildhornstrasse/Schloßstrasse in Steglitz.
U9 Schloßstrasse

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Interbau 1957

Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, 1887-1965) was a Swiss-French architect. He was one of the pioneers of modern architecture in the 20th century and most of his buildings can be found throughout Europe and India. After succesfully realising his Unité d’Habitation (Housing Unit) designs in Marseille and Nantes, Le Corbusier designed his third Unité d’Habitation for the Hansa quarter in Berlin, as part of the international Interbau exhibition of 1957, for which many national and international renowned architects were invited to design new buildings for the Hansa quarter, which was heavily demolished during the 2nd world war. As Le Corbusier’s building was planned to be 141m long, 23m wide and 53m high, it would become too big for the Hansa quarter, so a new location on the hill next to Olympic Stadium was chosen. L’Unité d’Habitation Type Berlin was built between 1956 and 1958 in just 18 months.

L’Unité d’Habitation

Consisting of 17 levels with more than 500 apartments, the building is designed to be a small city in itself with several facilities under one roof such as shops, a post office and a hairdresser. An open-air theatre and a school at the roof top were planned as well but were not allowed by the Berlin local authorities. Also the original dimensions of the apartments, such as the typical ‘human’ height of 2,26m did not meet the German standards of a minimum of 2,50m, which made Le Corbusier decide to officially resign from the project.

The apartments are situated along long hallways in the middle of the building. Next to every door a small panel is found which covers a bread box. The idea was that residents could get their daily fresh bread delivered in this box, but this has never been realised.

Today the Corbusier House has a monumental status. Outside the original facade is kept, inside there is not much left of the 50s design. Most of the first residents have left and many apartments were bought by artists and architects who made several changes. There are still a few original apartments left, which can be visited during special tours. Of all the shops on the ground floor only one kiosk has survived.

You can visit the Corbusier House and take a look yourself whilst enjoying another great view over the western part of Berlin. Or even better, visit it when Hertha is playing, to experience 50.000 people singing passionately next door.

More information

www.corbusierhaus-berlin.de
Flatowallee 16 14055 Berlin
S5 S75 Olympia Stadion

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Whenever you are interested in architecture or design, you’re looking for a design gift from the museum shop, you’d like to get some inspiration for your new furniture, or you just want to have a coffee and cake on a nice and sunny terrace, you definitely should go to the Bauhaus archive. In this museum for design the history of Bauhaus and its influence is documented, and it shows a wide collection of Bauhaus design.

History of Bauhaus

Bauhaus was a school for architecture, design, visual and performing arts. It was founded in Weimar by the architect Walter Gropius in 1919 just after the first world war. It was famous for its minimalistic modern design and functionality, without putting constraints on mass production.
After moving to Dessau in 1925 the school fully flourished and built an international reputation, established by the many famous teachers such as Paul Klee, Wassily Kadinsky, László Moholy-Nagy, Marcel Breuer and the directors Hannes Meyer (1928-1930) and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1930-1933).
When in 1932 the nazis came to power, the school moved to Berlin into an old derelict factory, where it had to close in 1933, because it was too progressive, too international and too jewish. Most employees and students emigrated, some were murdered.
Despite its relatively short existence, Bauhaus has had an important influence on architecture and design. Even today the 90 year old classic modern style is not outdated at all.

The Bauhaus Archive – Museum for Design

The escape from Germany of many Bauhaus members before the 2nd World War resulted in a spread around the western world of the Bauhaus heritage. In 1964 plans were made to collect a Bauhaus archive in Darmstadt, in a building designed by Walter Gropius. The project could not be carried through and in 1976 the archive has been built in Berlin. The characteristic building opened in 1979.
The museum shows a large collection of assignments made during many courses such as colour, form, composition, functionality, materials, photography, ceramics, furniture and architecture. Also works from famous Bauhaus masters are shown, such as the Wagenfeld lamp or furniture designed by Marcel Breuer.
Next to the permanent collection, many attractive temporary exhibitions have been held since its opening. From June 25 till September 8 2014 there will be an exhibition about the Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky, who was one of the teachers at the Bauhaus school.
Also the museumshop, which sells posters, books about Bauhaus, and design products, and the cafetaria are worth a visit. The first time I visited the Bauhaus archive, even the food served at the cafetaria was fully designed. Unfortunately, this is not offered anymore.

The real Bauhaus addict should also visit the Bauhaus school in Dessau (www.bauhaus-dessau.de) and the Bauhaus-Museum Weimar (www.klassik-stiftung.de).

Bauhaus Archive

www.bauhaus.de
Klingelhöferstrasse 14, 10785 Berlin
Bus 100 106 187 M29 Lützowplatz
U1 U2 U3 U4 Nollendorfplatz
Open Wed – Mon 10 – 17
Entrance fee Wed – Fri 6 Euro, Sat – Mon 7 Euro
Audio guide recommended, deposit 20 Euro

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