Granulated effect on the facade of the revitalized Bikini Berlin building

Between 2010 and 2013, the heritage-protected building Bikini Berlin in the center of the German capital underwent radical revitalization. The investor was the large Munich real estate and development company Bayerische Hausbau. The historic building complex "Zentrum am Zoo," which was constructed between 1955 and 1957 based on designs by architects Paul Schwebese and Hans Schoszberger, had lost much of its significance and appeal over the years. The main plan for the necessary renovation of the Bikini Berlin building was prepared by the Belgian architectural office SAQ, and its central idea was to combine shopping, work, and relaxation in the revitalized building, which was also to include a cinema and a hotel. The implementation of the project documentation was entrusted to the Munich architectural firm Hild und K Architekten, which specializes in projects on existing buildings and dealt with the practical questions of the conceptual design by SAQ.

The Connection Between Past and Future

The unique style of Bikini Berlin is attributed to its long, lively history and remarkable 1950s architecture. For decades, the complex of buildings had an impact on the life of West Berlin. The original charm was revived in a new form and complemented with modern elements. The traditional and open "Bikini level" reopened, and thanks to the large panoramic windows, excellent interior lighting was preserved. This allowed for the placement of new boutiques, showrooms, and attractive pop-up boxes with local design brands on the individual floors. The façades of the building overlooking the zoo and hotel are glazed in response to the current desire for a greater presence of vibrant nature in the city, providing fascinating views of Berlin's "green lungs." The large rooftop terrace at the back of the building, with a unique view into the Berlin Zoo, is a true expression of modern urbanism. Accessible from the street via a large staircase, it offers a modern space for rest and relaxation: an oasis right in the middle of the city. A comfortable staircase also leads directly from the ground floor of the building to the terrace.

Facades – A Calling Card of the Original and New Faces of Bikini Berlin

A unique feature of Bikini Berlin was and still is the design of the façades: on the front side overlooking Budapester Straße and the 25hours hotel, the façade was reconstructed in the original 1950s style, taking into account today’s energy guidelines. Characteristic elements include partially colored protrusions and recesses on the façade surface with large horizontal glass panels in shades of sand, amber, black, marble white, and stone gray. The filigree, almost fabric-like structure of the façade reminds us that this building once housed the textile center of West Berlin. Vertically, the façade is framed with gold-colored anodized elements. The façades of the newly built cinema, staircase to the rooftop terrace, parking garage, and new constructions between the hotel and parking were also designed with respect to the historical essence of the building. Here, an innovative "accordion façade" was created, with its elements overlapping like scales. The old, no longer usable colored glass panels from the historic façade at the back of the building were broken and reused as a bridge connecting the past with the present in the form of 2 to 3 mm chips in ceramic granulate, combined (and hand-applied) with the rough texture of Sto Effect modeling plaster. The play of light and glass creates lively and colorful accents on the façade. An unusual solution that confirmed all the advantages of creative plasters StoSignature and also perfectly utilized the original materials from the building of the 1950s.

Order Free Samples of StoSignature

The first step towards StoSignature plasters is simple – fill out the registration form on the site www.sto.cz/fasady, and Sto will send you free samples of selected StoSignature surfaces. You will see for yourself that with this system of creative plasters, almost anything is possible.


Architects:
Hild und K Architekten BDA, Munich, Germany

Implementation:
BIG.B Bau und Instandsetzung GmbH, Berlin, Germany

Sto Expertise:
Insulation system StoTherm Classic®, Rough 30 textured organic coarse modeling plaster Stolit® Effect, combined with the Bikini effect using ceramic granulate (original technique)

Photo: Maximilian Meisse, Franz Brück