KaDeWe is undergoing a complete interior transformation. The concept is brilliant: Ellen van Loon and Rem Koolhaas's studio OMA designed four distinct escalator cores that are being strategically integrated into the department store over time. The first of these architectural interventions was unveiled and opened to customers last year.

The escalator itself is a sculptural feat—two funnel-shaped spirals intertwined into one continuous form. Rather than a mere functional element, it becomes a three-dimensional experience that transforms how visitors move through the space. The entire floor plan is organized into four quadrants, each anchored by one of these four unique staircase cores, making navigation intuitive and the store's geography immediately legible. Every quadrant serves a distinct purpose—one dedicated to events, others curated for specific merchandise and experiences. Each quadrant opens to a different street entrance and revolves around a central void that functions simultaneously as an atrium and primary vertical circulation hub. Rather than designing each space from scratch, the approach mirrors curation: spaces were developed to respond to their specific context, resulting in four distinctly different spatial experiences and efficient operational models within a single building. Throughout the structure, the intermediate spaces shift in dimension and proportion across each level, ensuring no two floors feel alike—repetition is deliberately avoided in favor of continuous discovery.

www.oma.com

Photography Credits:

Marco Cappelletti
www.marcocappelletti.com

(Published in CUBE Berlin 01|22)