Schindler Showroom Berlin


The factory hall, built in the 1930s is part of a listed historic ensemble (Aska­nia Werke) located in Berlin Mariendorf. It was home to Schindler elevator production facilities until the 1980s and is now beeing reactivated as a gateway for the public into the Schindler Cam­pus. The new design brief aims to revive the 10.000m² building and transform it into a dynamic space for cultural exchange and innovative business develop­ment.

The main focus of the project is the historical restoration of the factory hall and the implementation of a 1.000m² multi functional showroom that can serve various programmatic needs throughout the year. The adaptive architectural intervention, based on revolving stage technology, can generate spatial conditions that activate, and/or sometimes separate, the remaining space in the hall as desired by each event. Two semi-circular, interlocking shells rotate seamlessly, stopping to create spatial configurations to suit endless programmatic needs.

In addition to the showroom for the Schindler AG & Co. KG, the redesigned hall will offer spaces for artist studios, office workspace and event areas. In order to enable and foster communication and exchange between all disciplines, the various program types are implemented into an open landscape, creating opportunities for co-working and private work environments. Network-Like structures that are superimpo­sed on the existing structural grid gene­rate an adaptive and flexible space layout that allow the former production hall to transform into an innovative work environment and establish a cultural marketplace.
Client: Schindler Deutschland AG & Co. KG
Status: feasibility study
Program: multifunctional auditorium, others
Location: Berlin, Germany
Year: 2013
Team: with Markus Bonauer/2D+ Architekten, Buro Happold Ingenieurbüro GmbH, itv - Ingenieurgesellschaft für Theater- und Veranstaltungstechnik mbH