Bauakademie

Founded by Karl Friedrich Schinkel in 1836, the Bauakademie in Berlin was an architecture School and 'hybrid' like building, that set new standards in its functionality, aesthetics, and materiality. Never before has there been a multifunctional building with its raw unclad look. Not only in its materiality but also in terms of the urban ensemble was the Bauakademie the keystone of its surrounding. Conscious handling of Schinkel's destroyed legacy is indispensable for an adequate and yet contemporary interpretation of this historical location. Architecturally, historically and socially - a place in which a meaningful and sophisticated use, but also a restrained monumentality is required.

Concrete – a very expressive material that not only gives expression to its appearance but also its actual strength. A monolith is created whose monumentality seems to come to rest. The monolith consolidates its location through the surrounding gap. Concrete is shown in its complete honesty. The walls are made of concrete – from outside to inside! For this purpose, a lightweight concrete being is used, which unfolds its ability to possess heat-insulating effects. A building to exhibit, mediate, and experience architecture. Not just a place to see things, but also a place of inspiration, experience, and culture.

The Bauakademie is a pure exposed concrete construction that is unified, monumental, monolithic, sculptural, plastic, and simple in its aesthetics. Its entrance is marked with an oblique cut at the front-facing side of the concrete Cube. The entrance opens to the atrium - the main room of the monolith. The upper levels offer connecting spaces with a natural flow of movement, while the top floor opens up to the sky in two patios. In each case, the galleries generate targeted visual relationships with the outwards and the balconies towards the atrium.

(c) Felix Redmann 2023