Bikini Berlin, the makeover of historical protected architecture

BIKINI BERLIN is an architectural testimony of post-war West Berlin, part of the “Zentrum am Zoo” project designed in 1957 by architects Paul Schwebe and Hans Schoszberger. The building has now been completely refurbished.



BIKINI BERLIN is a piece of post-war architectural history in West Berlin. Even the name is a clear reference to those years: before the refurbishment there was a clear division between the basement and the upper floors, a kind of loggia on the second floor, reminding Berliners of the daring new women’s two-piece swimwear fashion that made its debut in the 1950s.





The Bikinihaus Berlin, located opposite the Gedächtniskirche, is part of a group of heritage-listed buildings, the so-called “Zoobogen”, which includes the high-rise building on Hardenbergplatz, the Zoo Palast cinema, a smaller tower with the 25hours hotel and a car park. 





The Bayerische Hausbau project development company has owned the complex since 2002, and submitted it to a delicate refurbishment that lasted from 2010 to 2013. This revamp once again gave Bikini Berlin a sense of unity, and it now offers eateries, retail and offices to the city.





The highlight of the project is the large green rooftop terrace on the new build, which architecturally and visually connects the Bikinihaus with the famous Zoological gardens, providing great views of the monkey enclosure. The question is: who is looking at whom?
 
(Christiane Bürklein)

Project: Bayerische Hausbau
Location: Berlin, Germany
Year: 2010-2013
Photography: Bayerische Hausbau, fotografo Franz Brück
Link: https://www.bikiniberlin.de/