From a distance—whether viewed from Berlin's Ringbahn railway or the city motorway—the new building and its previously isolated neighbouring structure by architect Jürgen Sawade merge to create a striking urban landmark. The new hotel and office tower is conceived as an architectural counterpart to the "Platinum" office building. As a complementary form, it echoes the cascading profile of its neighbor, yet reverses that motion—turning its exterior rhythm inward. The structure features two symmetrically positioned peaks: one along Werdauer Weg to the north and one extending southward. Rising from a shared five-storey base, both sections step upward in two-storey increments to reach eleven storeys, mirroring the composition of the "Platinum" building. By doing so, the new building recontextualizes the previously isolated 1990s structure, anchoring it within the urban fabric. Together, the two buildings form a cohesive ensemble whose lens-shaped footprint reflects the geometry of the adjacent "Schöneberger Linse" development.

The building's westward-oriented profile liberates the adjacent Twelve Apostles Cemetery—including Paul Egeling's landmark chapel—from its neglected backyard setting, elevating it to new prominence within the urban landscape. The uniform light-brick façade accentuates the sculptural presence of the new structure. Its cream-beige palette establishes a dialogue with the granite of the "Platinum" building while simultaneously honoring the brick heritage of the neighboring protected monument. Evenly distributed windows compose an abstract façade rhythm, weaving vertical and horizontal lines into a unified pattern. The building envelope, conceived as layered relief, draws its plasticity from meticulous detailing: deep-set window recesses carve shadow and depth into the brickwork, orchestrating a dynamic interplay of light and shade throughout the day. Located between two major transit hubs, the building serves two complementary functions: the southern wing houses the Berlin headquarters of Debeka, while the northern section contains a hotel featuring nearly 300 rooms.

www.maxdudler.de

Photography Credits:

Stefan Josef Müller
www.stefanjosefmueller.de

(Published in CUBE Berlin 04|21)