Since 2017, we have been commissioned with the project planning for the modernisation and restoration of the House of World Cultures in Berlin, affectionately known by Berliners as the “pregnant oyster”.
The building dates from 1957 (architect: Hugh Stubbins). As a gift from the USA to the city of Berlin, it was the US contribution to the International Building Exhibition Interbau. Since 1987, the “House of World Cultures” has been located in the building previously used as a congress hall, with its striking, double-curved concrete roof. When part of the roof edge collapsed in 1980, the roof shell was demolished and rebuilt. Another renovation measure followed between 2006 and 2008.
The renovation work we will be overseeing between 2017 and 2021 includes, in particular, the modernisation of the event area with the auditorium, the restaurant and the cloakrooms, the redesign of the administration and conference areas, the conversion of the office wing into artists’ cloakrooms and, in addition, the renewal of the event and building services.
In the auditorium, the ceiling and false ceiling were modernised and renovated, including the renewal of the building and stage technology.
In the area of the “Weltwirtschaft” restaurant, the floor and ceiling were renewed, the counter was redesigned and renewed, and kitchens and adjoining rooms were modernised and refurbished in consultation with the new operators. The building fabric, which was partly preserved in its original state, was analysed and the procurement of materials and products true to the original was aimed for as stringently as possible.
Refurbishment, modernisation, work phases 1 to 8, 2017 to 2021
GFA 14,230 m2
Client: Kulturveranstaltungen des Bundes in Berlin GmbH (KBB)
Editorial status: 09/2021
