Berlin is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe, which surprised by its history, cultural events, and many unique sights. Whilst there are many different architectural features within Berlin, none can remain more memorable than the Shellhaus. In this blog post, we are going to talk about the history behind Shellhaus as well as experiencing some of its main characteristics.
The History of the Shellhaus
The Shellhaus at Linienstr. 132 in Berlin’s Tiergarten Bezirk was constructed within the years 1930 and 1932. This one was designed by none other than the famous German architect Emil Fahrenkamp. At this time, Germany saw rapid increase of the urbanization and new construction of advanced office spaces.
Shell haus was designed for the petroleum company “Deutsche Shell AG”. It was their goal to establish a figurative manifestation of the contemporary, progressive corporate image. Fahrenkamp was able to do this and in the process integrate the latest practices in architectural design and production of the time.
The façade of the building can be characterized as curvilinear, it has the exterior that looks like a seashell. This particular construction, combined with an extensive use of glass and steel helped make Shell haus a clear representation of the modernist period architecture.
Key Features of the Shellhaus
The Shellhaus features several distinctive elements that make it a significant landmark:
The Seashell Façade
One may have observed that the façade which is shaped like the structure, more resembles seashells. The above design was made possible by the use of reinforced concrete as this material largely provided strength and at the same time flexibility. This curvature not only makes the building look appealing but makes usage of sunlight and air as well, two basic requirements for survival.
Glass Curtain Walls
Like many modern architects after him, Fahrenkamp used curtain walls of mostly glass in the construction of Shellhaus. This made it possible to ensure that the interior was flooded with natural light making the workplace lively. Glass was also used to symbolize transparency, and that was in tune with social liberalisation in Europe in the 60s.
Innovative Interior Design
This element was put into practice within the Shellhaus with motivating methods by Fahrenkamp on interior design. The organizational structure of the building was creation of the open floor plan that was not common in that period to encourage interaction among the employees. It also had large accommodation for meetings and was endowed with opulent sitting areas, magnificent stairs making it more stylish.
Section III – The Significance of the Shellhaus
The Shellhaus holds great historical and cultural significance in Berlin:
Architectural Innovation
Therefore the Shellhaus is one of the pioneers of modernist office building in Germany and has an historically important status in architectural history. Because it is so distinctive and because of its innovative employment of certain structural and decorative materials it has had a determining influence upon later generations of architects not only in Germany but in other lands as well.
Surviving World War II
Nevertheless, although the whole of Berlin suffered immensely throughout 1945 in the Second World War, the Shellhaus was one of the few that emerged practically unharmed. This resilience makes it even more relevant from the architectural perspective and proves the quality of work done.
Visiting the Shellhaus
Today, the Shellhaus is a commercial office so people cannot visit here like those old fancy houses of the 1920s. Nevertheless, the exterior can be seen from the outside and, therefore, people, who visit this place or those, who have an interest in architecture, can enjoy the appearance of this building and know that it is listed.
Those who want to know more about shellhaus and other architectural monuments in Berlin, you can visit the city interested guided and architectural tours. These tours give one a perspective of the history behind some of the structures that make up the modern Berlin city.
Conclusion
The Shellhaus in Berlin is a fine example of how far architectural design has come in the early twentieth century. They include seashell like façade, glass curtain walls and innovative interior design making it a building that was out of the ordinary during construction. The Shellhaus is a synthesis of the modernist movement and a big piece of architecture history of Berlin.
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