The Kulturforum in Berlin – Always a Place of the Avant-Garde
Varied History of the Kulturforum
An eventful history has left its mark on the Kulturforum. At the beginning of the 20th century, it developed into a middle class residential neighborhood where many pioneers of the avant-garde found a home. In the 1930s, the National Socialists radically redesigned the district. Numerous houses were torn down in preparation for Albert Speer’s Nord-Süd-Achse (a north-south axis cutting through the city), destroying the composition of the neighborhood. An intensive planning and development phase for the Kulturforum began after World War II, when architect Hans Scharoun was the city council member in charge of construction and housing.
The Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz chose the Kulturforum as its main location during the era when Germany was divided. Most of the new buildings were constructed here. Now the Kulturforum is being developed further with the construction of a new museum for 20th century art.
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From the Kemperplatz to the Kulturforum in 04:23
The video shows the development of the Kulturforum in Berlin: from a middle class residential neighborhood at the end of the 19th century, the destructions by the National Socialists and during World War II, the planning of a new cultural quarter along the Berlin Wall to the design of a new museum in the 21 century.
1946 Collective plan for the redevelopment of Berlin, created by Hans Scharoun
1956 Design competition for the concert hall of the Berliner Philharmoniker “Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra” on Bundesallee; Hans Scharoun receives 1st prize
1956–60 Reconstruction of St. Matthew Church
1959 The Senate decides to move the Philharmonie to Kemperplatz in order to emphasize its significance for all of Berlin
1960–63 Construction of the Philharmonie
1963–68 Construction of the Galerie des 20. Jahrhunderts by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
1963/64 Project competition for the building of the new Staatsbibliothek (State Library) with a section on urban planning ideas; Hans Scharoun receives 1st prize
1965 Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz takes over the Galerie des 20. Jahrhunderts, calling it the Neue Nationalgalerie
1965/66 Open competition for the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin; after a revision, Rolf Gutbrod receives the commission
1967–1976 New Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin is built
1968 Preliminary design for a chamber music hall; Hans Scharoun receives a direct commission
1969 Planning for Musikinstrumenten-Museum/Staatliches Institut für Musikforschung (Museum of Musical Instruments/State Institute for Music Research) begins; direct commission goes to Hans Scharoun
1972 After Scharoun’s death, Edgar Wisniewski completes the construction
1978–85 Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts) is constructed by Rolf Gutbrod
1979–82 Musikinstrumenten-Museum is constructed by Edgar Wisniewski
1984 Competition for surface design of the Piazzetta; Heinz Mack receives 1st prize
1984–87 Chamber Music Hall is constructed by Edgar Wisniewski
1985/86 Critical discussion of Gutbrod’s concept for the museums and announcement of a new competition; Hilmer & Sattler und Albrecht, and Schürmann each receive 2nd prize
1987 Hilmer & Sattler und Albrecht are commissioned to continue Gutbrod’s museum buildings and to erect a new building for the Gemäldegalerie (Old Master Paintings)
1989 Berlin Wall is opened
1991 Urban planning competition Potsdamer/Leipziger Platz (Kulturforum excluded); Hilmer & Sattler und Albrecht (with ideas for a connection to the Kulturforum) receive 1st prize
1997/98 Landscape planning project competition with Kulturforum urban planning part; Valentien + Valentien and Hilmer & Sattler und Albrecht each receive 1st prize. Park/public space design for the project site completed in June 1998 (except for private property)
