Berlin Architecture City Guide: 25 Modern and Contemporary Projects to Discover in the German Capital

While the city of Berlin has a long history, dating back to the 13th century, its architecture and urban fabric has undergone the most significant changes during the last century, reflecting the impact of major historical events that took place in the German capital. During the early 20th century, Berlin transformed into a modern metropolis, marked through the construction of grand buildings and imposing structures to demonstrate the city’s growing economic and political power. The 1920s and 1930s saw the emergence of the Modernist movement, which, together with the Bauhaus school of architecture founded in 1919, influenced the image and urban fabric of Berlin.

During the Second World War the city was heavily bombed, resulting in the destruction of many historical buildings. During the post-war period, reconstruction efforts focused on rebuilding infrastructure and housing, while the city remained divided until 1989, with the fall of the Berlin wall. After this period, Berlin witnessed a renewed interest in architecture and urban design. Interventions such as David Chipperfield’s Neues Museum aimed to rebuild historical monuments without erasing the markings of their difficult past. Other projects such as the renovation of the Reichstag had a different purpose. Norman Foster’s intervention intended to keep the image of this building but change its symbolism from a structure representative for the Nazi regime to one embracing the ideals of democracy and equality.

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The following list showcases 25 Modern and Contemporary architecture projects that demonstrate the diversity of what Berlin has to offer: from Bauhaus and Modernist masters such as Walter Gopius, Le Corbusier, or Peter Behrens, to established and internationally renowned offices such as OMA, Foster + Partners, Gehry Partners and David Chipperfield Architects, and even emerging creative studios like 3XN or SPEECH.

Neue Nationalgalerie / Mies van der Rohe, Renovated by David Chipperfield Architects

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Neue Nationalgalerie / Mies van der Rohe, Renovated by David Chipperfield Architects. Image © Simon Menges

New German Parliament, Reichstag / Foster + Partners

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New German Parliament, Reichstag / Foster + Partners. Image © Matthew Field, licensed under GFDL 1.2 via Commons

Berlin Philharmonic / Hans Scharoun

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Berlin Philharmonic / Hans Scharoun. Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

James-Simon-Galerie / David Chipperfield Architects

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James-Simon-Galerie / David Chipperfield Architects. Image © Simon Menges

Jewish Museum, Berlin / Studio Libeskind

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Jewish Museum, Berlin / Studio Libeskind. Image © Denis Esakov

Neues Museum / David Chipperfield Architects + Julian Harrap

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Neues Museum / David Chipperfield Architects + Julian Harrap. Image Courtesy of David Chipperfield Architects

Unite d’Habitation of Berlin / Le Corbusier

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Unite d’Habitation of Berlin / Le Corbusier. Image © Jean-Pierre Dalbéra via Wikipedia under License CC BY 2.0

Fernsehturm Television Tower, Alexanderplatz / Hermann Henselmann

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Fernsehturm Television Tower, Alexanderplatz / Hermann Henselmann. Image © turtix via Shutterstock

Bauhaus Archive / Walter Gropius

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Bauhaus Archive / Walter Gropius. Image © hinterhof via Shutterstock

Tchoban Foundation - Museum for Architectural Drawing / SPEECH

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Tchoban Foundation - Museum for Architectural Drawing / SPEECH. Image © Patricia Parinejad

Wohnhaus Schlesisches Tor (Bonjour Tristesse) / Álvaro Siza Vieira + Peter Brinkert

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Wohnhaus Schlesisches Tor (Bonjour Tristesse) / Álvaro Siza Vieira + Peter Brinkert. Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Quartier Schützenstrasse / Aldo Rossi

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Quartier Schützenstrasse / Aldo Rossi. Image © Wikimedia user Jörg Zägel licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe / Peter Eisenman

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Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe / Peter Eisenman. Image © joyfull via Shutterstock

AEG Turbinen Fabrik / Peter Behrens

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AEG Turbinen Fabrik / Peter Behrens. Image © Wikimedia user Doris Antony licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Axel Springer Campus / OMA

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Axel Springer Campus / OMA. Image © Laurian Ghinitoiu, Courtesy OMA

The Feuerle Collection / John Pawson

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The Feuerle Collection / John Pawson. Image © def image

Antivilla / Brandlhuber+Emde, Burlon

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Antivilla / Brandlhuber+Emde, Burlon. Image © Erica Overmeer

Interbau Apartment House / Oscar Niemeyer

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InterbauApartment House / Oscar Niemeyer. Image © Bahaa Ghoussainy

Netherlands Embassy / OMA

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Netherlands Embassy / OMA. Image © JJFarq via Shutterstock

Exhibition Hall of the German Historical Museum / I.M. Pei

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Exhibition Hall of the German Historical Museum / I.M. Pei. Image © Rudi Meisel via ERCO GmbH

DZ Bank Building / Gehry Partners

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DZ Bank Building / Gehry Partners. Image © Nancy Da Campo

Free University's Philology Library / Foster + Partners

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Free University's Philology Library / Foster + Partners. Image © Reinhard Gorner

cube berlin Smart Office Building / 3XN

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cube berlin Smart Office Building / 3XN. Image © Adam Mørk

The Kreuzberg Tower / John Hejduk

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The Kreuzberg Tower / John Hejduk. Image © Sofia Balters

Sony Center Berlin / Murphy Jahn

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Sony Center Berlin / Murphy Jahn. Image © Rainer Viertlbock

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About this author
Cite: Maria-Cristina Florian. "Berlin Architecture City Guide: 25 Modern and Contemporary Projects to Discover in the German Capital" 30 Mar 2023. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/153731/architecture-city-guide-berlin> ISSN 0719-8884

James-Simon-Galerie / David Chipperfield Architects. Image © Ute Zscharnt for David Chipperfield Architects

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