Citizens' groups advocate for superior aesthetics in Broad Street projects
In the heart of Berlin-Mitte, a new residential and commercial ensemble is set to rise near the Humboldt Forum, and a group of concerned citizens has made their voices heard. An alliance of Berlin citizen initiatives, including Berliner Historische Mitte e.V., the Errichtungsstiftung Bauakademie, the Forum Stadtbild Berlin, the Gesellschaft Historisches Berlin, and the Planungsgruppe Stadtkern im Bürgerforum Berlin, have demanded a high-quality graphic design for the Broad Street Quarter.
The group's concerns stem from a nearby residential project with a bland architectural design. They argue that the Broad Street Quarter should not follow suit, but rather connect with the historical building tradition of the site. Around 65 to 70 apartments are planned to be part of the ensemble.
The Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing is spearheading the project, which also includes apartments, commercial spaces, and artist studios on Broad Street in Berlin-Mitte. The facade of the new building facing the Muhlendamm has been visible since late 2022, and has been criticized for lacking reference to the historical significance of the site.
The alliance suggests using traditionally regional materials such as render, brick, sandstone, or limestone for the facade design, avoiding glass, metal, and street-facing thermal composite insulation systems. They argue that the additional costs for a high-quality facade design are negligible compared to the significant impact on the urban environment.
Further projects in Mitte, both residential and commercial, can be found on specific websites. The development of the Broad Street Quarter has been underway for almost three years.
The Senate Department for Urban Development and the WBM have invited architects from across Europe to participate in the competition procedure for the Broad Street Quarter. Five remaining offices will be selected from the group of 500 participants to create concrete designs for the project. A decision on the design is expected in July 2024.
The alliance does not criticize the creation of socially supported apartments on Breiten Straße but emphasizes the responsibility of municipal housing associations for the entire city and its society. The group's advocacy for a high-quality and timelessly beautiful facade design for the Broad Street Quarter has gained traction, with further articles on similar projects available online.
Notable articles include "Berlin-Mitte: WBM new building on the Fischerinsel causes disappointment" and "Mitte: Archaeological House on Petriplatz sheds its skins," among others. The group's efforts underscore the importance of preserving and enhancing Berlin's architectural heritage in new developments.
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