Berlin

The timing of my trip to Berlin for the PLDC conference could be considered unfortunate.  Had I been there a week before I would have caught the Berlin Festival of Lights which, from what I gather, was all about reinterpreting the lit architecture of Berlin.

Had I been there a week later I would have experienced the 20th anniversary of the end of the wall (and a free U2 concert).

Anyway, not to worry; it was wonderful anyway, such a cool city.  I have posted a couple of happy snaps below which don’t do justice to any of the buildings.  The first, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, designed by Peter Eisenman, was one of the most moving experiences imaginable.  If you are in Berlin for a short time and only get chance to see one thing go to this.

I also queued for an hour and half to get inside the Reichstag to see Sir Norm’s amazing contemporary intervention into one of Germany’s most historic buildings.  The daylighting design is exemplary – a shade rotates around the conical roof over the current German seat of power.  Mirrors reflect the light deep into the building’s interior.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Foster dome at Reichstag

Mirrors reflect daylight deep into the cone