Beneath the red canopy
Redesigned Bookshop in Berlin by Sauerbruch Hutton
© Jan Bitter
Lorem Ipsum: Zwischenüberschrift
A floating canopy of cloth panels in shades of red, orange, white and green hovers over the new branch of b_books at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt [HKW]. The colour nuances reflect the gleaming orange facade of the iconic Congress Hall, which is home to the HKW.
© Jan Bitter
Lorem Ipsum: Zwischenüberschrift
The new bookstore is situated in a passage area of the entrance hall. Sauerbruch Hutton have let the existing architecture – dark, elegant stone walls, light-coloured natural stone flooring and a large marble bench – play the principal role. Partitions and fittings made of reused elements from previous exhibitions in the spirit of sustainability occupy the background here.
Lorem Ipsum: Zwischenüberschrift
With translucent screens made of steel frames and recycled polycarbonate sheeting that can be moved as needed, the architects have created a flexible space. The books are presented on delicate tables and in continuous shelving of light-grey MDF along the wall, which is clad with dark-coloured natural stone.
© Jan Bitter
Lorem Ipsum: Zwischenüberschrift
In contrast to the muted, diffident choice of materials and colours of the floor elements, the ceiling design is full of movement and colour. The cloud of red cloth panels improves the acoustics and delimits the boundaries of the bookshop in a public space that gives visitors a sense of openness and intimacy in equal measure.
© Jan Bitter
© Jan Bitter
Lorem Ipsum: Zwischenüberschrift
The Congress Hall was designed by Hugh Stubbins in 1957 as the USA’s contribution to the Interbau building exhibition. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 3 October 1956: the architect described the structure, which features a curved roof and a bright-red facade, as “a beacon of freedom that sends its beams eastward.”
© Jan Bitter
Lorem Ipsum: Zwischenüberschrift
Comprehensive documentations about projects by Sauerbruch Hutton can be found in the monograph „Sauerbruch Hutton. Architecture and Construction Details“, Edition DETAIL, Munich 2019.
Architecture: Sauerbruch Hutton
Client: Haus der Kulturen der Welt
Location: John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, Berlin (DE)
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