84 uncertaintly created caused by lack of funding has become fertile ground for new new for ground fertile space. become public current of has the funding definition , the of in lack by Prussian proposals the caused of symbol this created of reconstruction GDR. demolition the uncertaintly the the and of for regime relic voted empty socialist an parliament the as of German reunified the to the next today reconstructed Although the survives and walls, city Cathedral Pal the of medieval the and its foundations the Emperor for on state of 1970’s out Prussian the the in of ace built stands representation a as Republic, Museums the of of significance Palace its The and Island power. fabric Berlin’s urban the on in site position this central of transformation The >

VERB Berlin, End of the 20th century 20th the of End Berlin, - 84 86 Foyer 86 For a thorough documentation on the building and the Stadtschloss site, see Thomas Beutelschmidt, Julia Novak, ed., ed., Novak, Julia Beutelschmidt, Thomas see site, Stadtschloss the and Republik auditoriums, seine building the on including discotheque. documentation a thorough events, and a For alley, popular Volkskammer for bowling the a venues of republic, range the restaurants, of wide a civic new with a institution into Chamber), redefined was (People’s representative of most center bank the opposite combined the administrative that on the center later, parades constructed years be military to Twenty and tower river. popular all government the of new a point of Marx-Engels- vast culmination forecourt the the the to as as place and gave simultaneously (Stadtschloss) conceived Platz, Prussian the of demolition The PALACE OF THE REPUBLIC, BERLIN. BERLIN. REPUBLIC, THE OF PALACE ventions, concerts and balls, with movable walls and decoration (maximum height 18m, 5,000 seats); 4. Basement Basement 4. seats); 5,000 rooms. 18m, machine height and kitchen (maximum storage, decoration with and walls movable with balls, and concerts ventions, con for used Hall o Big Saal Großer 3. floor; 4th on auditorium 200-seat and center bowling discotheque, restaurants, with halls public and Foyer 2. spectators); for balcony on + 240 x 11m, x 29 seats (35 540 (GDR) Republic Democratic Aust. Heinz Eisentraut, 32m. x R. Wolf Prasser, Manfred Kunert, Günter Location , Berlin: Verlag Bauwesen Huss-Medien, 2001. Huss-Medien, Bauwesen Verlag Berlin: , rs for area floor Gross : Berlin-, Schloßplatz (formerly Marx-Engels-Platz). Marx-Engels-Platz). (formerly Schloßplatz Berlin-Mitte, : 1300 m 103,000 : 2 . . an ucinl areas functional Main Also known as known Also : House of 1,000 windows or Honecker’s lamp store. lamp Honecker’s or windows 1,000 of House : : 1. Volkskammer (People’s Chamber) of the German German the of Chamber) (People’s Volkskammer 1. : Architects Construction : Heinz Graffunder with Karl-Ernst Swora, Swora, Karl-Ernst with Graffunder Heinz : 1973-1976. : Dimensions : 182 x 90 90 x 182 : Ein Palast und und Palast Ein - 88 Palast der Republik, 2004 Republik, der Palast 88 Main Auditorium Main Foyer and entrance and Foyer 90 pi 1973 April second expert group ‘Schlossareal’ (Castle Area) is set up to develop detailed spatial and and spatial detailed develop to building. up new set for is concepts Area) (Castle financing ‘Schlossareal’ group expert second urban catalyst and diverse cultural users create pressure group to campaign for a tempo a for campaign to group pressure create users cultural diverse and catalyst urban the new owner of the Palace. Palace. the of owner new the asbestos (overall cost: approx. 70 million euros). euros). million 70 approx. cost: (overall asbestos 2004 2003 2003 debates. public initiating and scenarios use 2003 March temporary possible displaying Nutzung’ Palast Strowa. Karl-Ernst Graffunder, Heinz 1950 of the destroyed castle; the programme of the is envisaged as a combina a as envisaged is Forum Humboldt the of programme the footprint the on castle; Forum’) destroyed the (‘Humboldt of building new of reconstruction and Palace of demolition GDR and join the Federal Republic of Germany. Germany. of Republic Federal the join and GDR venue Sophiensaele Berlin and the Hebbel Theatre). Theatre). cultural Hebbel the is the holder and contract Berlin (official months Sophiensaele three to venue limited contract use temporary of building. future the a of around reconstruction the and Hohenzollern-Castle the Palace of the of facades historical demolition main the for votes formally (Bundestag) visited frequently bowling most the theatre, is centre. a it day Berlin’s bars; per Eastern and visitors in 15.000 cafés its location With etc. restaurants, multi- a primarily thirteen discotheques, a is alley, rarely including building The is venue. chamber Superbox, cultural public parliamentary functional a as the popular While is Palace people). the 5000 and active, for “Lobby” hall parliament), (GDR Hall”(convention Chamber” “Great “People’s sections: the into divided is palace The – international conference. international – visitors. of thousands to 1990 since time first the for palace-shell the building through the tours of guided conduct reopening association tourist local and Nutzung’ Palast establishes the “International Commission of Experts ‘Historical Centre’” consisting of fif of consisting Centre’” ‘Historical Experts of Commission “International the establishes to asbestos contamination (sprayed asbestos was used as a fire protection for the steel steel the for protection fire a as used was asbestos structure). (sprayed contamination asbestos to of the Palace for cultural use until mid 2005. 2005. mid until use cultural for Palace the process. of tendering the in irregularities to due cancelled is 2005 of beginning the depression. economic current of view in plans building for moratorium tion and beginning negotiations with Federal Government about a cultural interim use. use. interim cultural a about Government Federal with negotiations beginning and tion use. rary member. Swiss one and Austrian one German, teen teen years. years. teen tors to date. date. to tors recommended. University is interim an Humboldt structure Euros); the 670m existing of the cost: of use (estimated Art collections cultural Non-European scientific of the collection relocated libraries, the and Berlin existing two of tion VOLKSPALAST – period of temporary cultural use opens the building with over 40.000 visi 40.000 over with building the opens use cultural temporary of period – VOLKSPALAST der (Bundesverband Palace. Industries appropriated the German inside of held army”. BDI) – Association “Terracotta Industrie Federal found. Chinese deutschen the be the of can of building Congress new reproductions Annual a of for designated exhibition funds Palace the until of Commercial site area The park Palace. the of grassed as demolition the for again votes Bundestag parliament of . Germany. East of parliament : : : : Demolition of the Hohenzollern-Castle after a decision of the ruling Socialist Party. Party. Socialist ruling the of decision a after Hohenzollern-Castle the of Demolition the Federal Minister for Culture, Dr Christina Weiss, agrees to postpone the opening opening the postpone to agrees Weiss, Christina Dr Culture, for Minister Federal the two-year-lasting a recommends Area) (Castle ‘Schlossareal’ group expert official The completed. is sites contaminated from removal Asbestos oebr 2002 November : October 1990 October 1998-2001 Council of Ministers of GDR decides construction of the palace. palace. the of construction decides GDR of Ministers of Council September 2004 September : oml osiuin f Zice Pls Ntug a a o-rft organisa non-profit a as Nutzung’ Palast ‘Zwischen of constitution Formal : Stripping of interior to expose structural shell in order to remove remove to order in shell structural expose to interior of Stripping : The government of the Federal Republic of Germany becomes becomes Germany of Republic Federal the of government The : The pressure group organises exhibition of ideas, ‘Zwischen ‘Zwischen ideas, of exhibition organises group pressure The 1990-2004 August 1990 August : The original plan to demolish the Palace of the Republic by by Republic the of Palace the demolish to plan original The ac 1990 March March 2002 March April 1976 April : Sealed box: the building remains closed for four for closed remains building the box: Sealed : The “people’s chamber” votes to dissolve the the dissolve to votes chamber” “people’s The 16–17. October September 1990 September : Opening of the “Palace of the Republic”. Republic”. the of “Palace the of Opening : : Constitution of the first freely elected elected freely first the of Constitution The local initiative consisting of studio studio of consisting initiative local The oebr 2000 November April 2001 April 0 Ags–. oebr 2004 November August–9. 20. July 2002 July : : FUN PALACE Berlin 200X 200X FUN Final report recommends recommends report Final : The palace is closed due due closed is palace The uy 2004 July : The German Parliament Parliament German The uy 2003 July : Federal Government Government Federal ac–ue 2004 March–June November 2003 November : Final signing signing Final July 2002 July ue 2004 June Architects: Architects: : ‘Zwischen ‘Zwischen October October October October May May : A A ------: : : :

90 located in the very heart of the city, hidden behind its largely intact brownish mirror mirror brownish intact largely its behind beauty hidden evocative city, and the of rough pre- of heart and space very frame the in steel gigantic a a located became elements, and programme, elements, structural removal core concrete its asbestos to cast down costly already and stripped vacancy was of six-year a building period During the the – use. of unused asbestos of duration remains the grounds on building In exceeding the vacated was facilities. currently and structure conference the and use, of contamination, years as restaurants bars, fourteen parliament only clubs, GDR after the venues, 1990, housing cultural Germany, major East in several as well projects building public ambitious and BACKGROUND Misselwitz Philipp Oswalt, Philipp Catalyst Urban Studio agents as Architects 1. See: http://www.bundesregierung.de/artikel-,413.535194/Abschlussbericht-der-Arbeitsgr.htm area. http://www.bundesregierung.de/-,413.534455/pressemitteilung/Kulturstaatsministerin-Weiss-E.htm over grassed large, existing a http://www.bundesregierung.de/artikel-,413.535194/Abschlussbericht-der-Arbeitsgr.htm the See: 1.of indefinitely demolition remain the German into would the site euros the concept, million Thus, 20 clear a of Palast. further lack a the para invest a and to In act to voted impossible. inability Parliament the nearly the of conceal to alternatives of decision appropriateness and doxical discussion realism of with pragmatic a sense any makes fixation and block to project ideological seems finance, almost image of the final questions Moreover, key building’s the the of unanswered. fixed, been remain conditions has in program project and planning the of client form traditional years. of final ten to the failure five whilst the for another crisis: for exemplary believed is construction widely period is it postpone waiting and This could plan recession funding initial public economic the of that lack current a the conceded that after until parliament solution German postponed the be 2003, would architectural library October in credible central a held the nor and session funding recent University neither non- has Humboldt scheme of the state-owned collection the Berlin, of house science new to a the that order in collections, determined property was it the European occupy million Although 668 would of unclear. cost Forum’ still is estimated site ‘Humboldt an the have castle of would future Prussian plan the this Today, imperial site; the euros. the of of and occupied elements Palast the integrate formerly had would that demolishing that of favor building in new a voted eventually constructing a of parliament subject German the the been and has sion Palast the of future and the heated decade last the Throughout façade. polarised The Palast der Republik, opened in 1976, was one of the most important important most the of one was 1976, in opened Republik, der Palast The debate. In 2002, by a slim margin, an international expert commis expert international an margin, slim a by 2002, In debate. 1 . During a a During . - - 92 TEMPORARY OCCUPATIONS TEMPORARY Visitors Sophiensäle DTM 92 of the pre-existing structure, guided by the belief that the installation of temporary uses uses temporary of installation the that improvements belief the by necessary guided for as ideas well as structure, develop to began discotheque, we pre-existing the of parallel, exhibitions, and In realistic culture. installations, youth seemed art and that opera, sport spectrum a concerts, initiatives us: the to representing of each idea, appropriate which in programmatic network eventually loose different a a groups Six forming pursued temporary interested. meetings, in be regular likely in interest us an would that joined voiced had to groups that began other we inform step, to institutions and and first a use As initiatives response In approach. contact and appropriation. multi-track a identify was necessary developed we its building for the pay situation to this client, money to no no was was had we there there and absurd: there architects, as rather already was involved situation getting realistic the of and that clear a concede possibility to the without (off-theatre) remained contemplated idea we the As Sophiensaele but concept. Berlin Opera), the as (State expressions such to Staatsoper responded the institutions, had and Flierl cultural Culture, Bruno for several by critic Senator The interest of project. architectural the the in same and the at involved Goehler, 2002, became of Adrienne spring Catalyst the in Urban Studio proposed that was time Republik der Palast the of remains USE TEMPORARY OF IDEA THE > To identify realistic strategies for the financing of the necessary initial investment and and investment initial necessary the of financing the for strategies the realistic for identify To > responsibility all assume would that structure management concept; a coherent propose a To > form to safety and ideas escape existing fire of focus To > issues the addressed that solution architectural on an based develop To study > feasibility a the given develop to were objectives we order in following group discussion, the working potential and inconclusive smaller a and lead authority to difficult for planning mandate the which rather a owner, of the meeting, of result a large a As host to users. 2002, representatives April district In assembled Mitte past. time, the the of in first of idea the help the authority the for planning needed we the support their forward, persuaded we move expressed to had order stripped that In the of politicians plans those non-existent. for updated were and Ministry building (the the unavailable, of was owner the interior time, Environment) that impossible, At Built and nearly was estimate. euro building Construction million ten well-guarded published the to access officially the of fraction a cost would operation costs. operation proposal; the of implementation scenarios; use temporary of spectrum wide a for infrastructure basic a propose to and : The idea for the temporary use of the existing, structural structural existing, the of use temporary the for idea The 94 building adjacent to the Palace of the Republic. For the first time, the feasibility study study feasibility the time, first the For governmental Republic. abandoned an the in of Palace organised the background. to was the in adjacent exhibition support building public public given be 5-day strong a not build 2002, to would owner November managed we In the forward with unless move to order negotiations In consideration direct that serious initial half-hearted. the realised and we Even cautious project, the unanswered. turned with left were with politicians meetings relations several for of done, been Requests support had new work for difficult. cost the remained preparatory of owner the necessary fraction a the 1.3M and of whilst cost But estimates cost estimated an development. with renovation refined previous of were 15% than structure less – the to interventions necessary PUBLIC GOES USE TEMPORARY with uses, possible of spectrum maximum a ensure would interventions the Laboratory: > Federal (the building the of owner the by incurred costs implementation that Ensuring > the with accordance in structure the to to interventions order in necessary use the temporary Minimizing for > appropriated be should spaces of selection limited following a the Only on > based concept a developed we months premises: 8 of period following the Over while acknowledging the deep attachment to the Palast still felt by many East Germans. East many by felt still future site’s Palast the about to discussion attachment deep public a the reenergize to acknowledging help while events cultural that belief the building); the expected of is costs rent) (e.g. running on take revenue no — users none to (temporary little remain Germany) of Republic a for plans demolition; of eventual progress the years building’s with 2-3 of the before accordance in time-frame period building), new this transitional a extending for of option designed the (with building, the of character provisional considered); were scenarios alternative (two costs reduce With the help of expert advice, the spatial concept and and concept spatial the advice, expert of help the With 

94 DIRECT ACTIONS ACTIONS DIRECT interest of community. declarations and user varied potential inquiries a as extremely ZPN, constant an the by enabled manage posted to (suc), The ability agents the and organization. users of this of lease-holder, network Urban framework loose the the Studio of within engine formalisation recognised, vital a (UseBetweenPalaces). be legally to the as continued initiative Catalyst our “ZwischenPalastNutzung” of ZPN with society partner, re-constitution the appropriate non-profit to an led management securing of the viability, in legal necessity involved The limited directly the project. be to use accepted refused temporary but building, the the of of measures owner proposed negotiations. the of official of the start then the radio by viability for and TV Ministry, backdrop press, Finance favourable a national German the The in generated media weeks initiative the widespread following for the the support during confirmed unanimous presence the conference almost and press The exhibition, interest. preceding the the of at event public. wider journalists opening 100 the the to over of attended presented were visitors ideas thousand programmatic Several of selection exemplary an and by Christian von Borries and the Philharmonics – the first cultural event, event, cultural first the – Philharmonics performance sound a – Brandenburg the walks’ and could ‘musical Borries area for von secured the Christian by infrastructure 2003, basic remained a September as and In serve building finished. the of had therefore part tours low-budget the of central after the series a even through place devised in path a in Mediapool, secured that Catalyst, specialist Urban interventions again Studio stage-design tours, the attention. guided with public limited and of partnership coverage again framework media the opened major was by within building public the accompanied general In the Berlin, to für effect. time horse’ Partner first the ‘Trojan a for organiser event generate to the with hoping actions, partnership small of strategy new a devised As negotiations for a temporary-use tenancy agreement stalled, ZPN ZPN stalled, agreement tenancy temporary-use a for negotiations As 96 temporary laboratory testing new forms of public space, interaction and communication communication and interaction a space, public constitute of forms projects new The testing exhibition visitors. labyrinth, laboratory 40,000 and over city temporary water attracted theatre has events, festivals, leisure conferences music or and space sport regulations. installations, events, art fire club and concerts, of standards performances, was safety consisting meet to investment program order in Initial diverse The space. sponsorship private ‘Volkspalast’ multi-purpose as a through as 2004 reopened secured 20, was August Republic on the of palace) Palace The (people’s signed. finally was contract VOLKSPALAST highly project, source open an become refreshing non-hierarchical. as would and well as building inclusive time The size over the outside. change limit the e.g. dynamic from a actors, of ensure impulses of space, interaction set and A the time by regulate to communication. projects of order in politics, structure, devised building were entertainment, rules former the seven to programme: curatorial the for relationship risk.The fire ironic platforms an high of with three an and areas in formulated, placed day’ be scaffoldings can ‘1000 that temporary concept of based system system option sprinkler escape realistic mobile fire more mobile and internal cheaper potentially much a the and – for external concept an and on Palast-Foyer revised a (Berlin) former with the of along Hurtzig 2003, 19,Hannah and appropriation December on curators (Bratislava) public the renowned to Ondreicka with Boris presented discussions in (Paris), refined Obrist maintenance. was and Ulrich concept Hans security would of curatorial which costs the the of option, some viable and a Simultaneously, cover as and use interest income public of temporary modest of a level high generate a feasibility the strategy maintain of will owner continuing the the that interventions convince hoped is It small-scale visitors. accumulating hundred of several attracted again which Three years after the start of the initiative, a three month, temporary-use temporary-use month, three a initiative, the of start the after years Three 96 commit public funds for a new building, thus eliminating the possible elaboration of a a of elaboration possible the would eliminating thus government future building, any new or a taking this for the that or funds unlikely public situation is it commit economic vote, time. of alarming period the parliamentary in another indeterminate of an improvement field, for grassy a substantial building a than more seeing no Before pre-existing yield the will of of and cost agenda footprint the the on estimated an high at marking (2005/6) remains 2005). months euros, –September fifteen million May to twenty twelve (possibly use created lasting temporary of demolition, unexpectedly have period However may second a 2005), for (July Championships World building opportunity the 2005 the of the front in hosting of irregularities Volleyball to possibility Beach due in the 2005, and autumn process until parliamentary tendering the demolition original in of the with postponement insists accordance recent in The government Palace vote. the German of the use, demolition interim rapid the the of on success apparent the and Forum PROSPECTS impossible. of structure lack the of current use the because continued social the made November 9 segregated on facilities closed otherwise was heating Volkspalast different, of groups. proximities cultural close and generate to intention the with territory of action for architects, acting less as builders and more as urban agents. urban as more and new a for builders as model less potential acting a – value of architects, for lasting of facilitator action of and experiment agent an an is territory as For Catalyst initiative use Urban development. Studio urban temporary of of the part and involvement integral projects the an as future use to architects, as impetus us temporary of urban provide to could acceptance that approaches the platform encourage alternative of unique a of given discussion vehicle was the the Through development building, symbolic competition. and architecture well-known a subsequent and programme potential Despite the bleak prospects for the realisation of the planned Humboldt Humboldt planned the of realisation the for prospects bleak the Despite Volkspalast Opening, 20 August 2004

LIMOUSINES FOR ALL A few limousines circle around the Schlossplatz allowing visitors to take turns arriving to the event as celebrities. 98

THE “VOLKSPALAST” (PEOPLE’S PALACE) PROJECT Having been pushed to the forefront by the process of unification, Berlin now runs the risk of becoming a of defence: its conquests and former momentum have faded and it is now fighting on the back foot. Faced with such a lack of drive, a new experiment is being developed in the heart of the city: the “Palace of the Republic”, a gift from the past waiting to be granted a new use. This bare skeleton, which currently permeates only emptiness, represents a unique space; a space that highlights the tension between the past and the future, a space of transition. Thanks to this “open” dimension, the ‘Palace’ shows great potential quite unlike any other location in the Republic, in that it can be transformed into a provisional cultural centre used to host experimental projects that will be highly attractive to the international community. The temporary use of this place, which is full of references to the past and symbolism, will provide new ways to explore the unknown. http://www.volkspalast.com/_vp/splashf.htm 98 group of visitors. of group new every by ceremony reception a in again, cut and restrung, cut, repeatedly is that ribbon red a to leads OPENING GRAND The red carpet carpet red The 100 (pages 100-103) (pages Baltzer David Photography: © Volkspalast. the in place taken have Republik, der Palast the of future the disucussing debate architectural an _vp/a15.htm, //www.volkspalast.com/ http: conference: 200X Berlin Palace Fun recent the as such events cultural of variety wide EVENTS Since its opening, a a opening, its Since 100 102 102