At 207 metres high, Hermann Henselmann's iconic Berlin structure has been given a new lease of life – architecturally, gastronomically, and culturally. The recently opened revolving restaurant "Sphere Tim Raue," designed by Stuttgart-based practice Dittel Architekten, embodies this transformation.

At the heart of this design lies a profound respect for the landmark's historical significance. Within approximately 420 m² of carefully considered space, the architects created a gastronomic experience that honors the distinctive aesthetic language of the late 1960s while thoughtfully bringing it into the present. The tower sphere's interior has been reimagined as a space that preserves the past while embracing contemporary possibilities—unified through a cohesive interior vision and Tim Raue's distinctive culinary approach.

Working closely with heritage authorities, Dittel Architekten developed a comprehensive design strategy: reinterpreting the tower's architecture in spatial and atmospheric terms, while establishing a dialogue between the building's austere exterior and its welcoming, contemporary interior. The palette draws from the original 1960s vocabulary – warm creams and browns accented by deep blue – complemented by carefully restored period furniture and meticulously reconstructed wall finishes in durable, premium materials. The "Sphere Tim Raue" follows the tower's concentric geometry with precision. Its spatial arrangement unfolds across three functionally and atmospherically distinct zones, choreographed as a flowing sequence of views, lingering spaces, and service areas. The outer ring, set against the glass façade, seats diners in constant rotation – offering that incomparable 360-degree panorama of Berlin. As daylight shifts and dusk arrives, the ever-changing cityscape becomes part of the dining experience itself. Anchoring the inner ring, new architectural elements speak to the building's heritage: a bar clad in travertine-look and brushed steel recalls the original fixtures, while an intimate wine alcove provides quieter moments. Here, deliberately lower ceilings in darker tones create a contrasting zone that reinforces the radial geometry and heightens the overall sense of place.

Sphere Tim Raue brings together the chef's distinctive voice – built on the interplay of sweet, sour, and sharp – with an architectural narrative that mirrors this philosophy. Past and future, retro and contemporary, the everyday and the extraordinary: these tensions animate every corner of the space.

www.di-a.de

Photography:
Martin Baitinger

(Published in CUBE Berlin 03|25)