ㅤ

2. CORBUSIERHAUS

In some utopias, cities rise vertically. Designed by Le Corbusier as the Berlin face of the "Unité d'Habitation" concept, also within the scope of the Interbau project just like Hansaviertel, Corbusierhaus was designed as a self-sufficient vertical village. Hosting exactly 530 apartments, this massive structure was actually planned to be built inside Hansaviertel but could not fit within the neighborhood's borders. Therefore, it was moved to the forested area next to the Olympiastadion. The main goal, contrary to classical utopian dreams, was to construct a structure where people would not need to go outside. Hence, the interiors of Corbusierhaus host streets, shops, a post office, and a rooftop kindergarten. Withthe vivid colors of its corridors and its brutalist raw concrete, Corbusierhaus still creates a sci-fi impression today.

3. BIERPINSEL

Perhaps the most interesting structure of the pop-art movement, Bierpinsel rises up to 47 meters from the ground in Steglitz. Built in 1976 by the couple Ralf Schüler and Ursulina Schüler-Witte, the "beer brush" takes its name from the people of Berlin. Indeed, the structure, which actually started from the silhouette of a tree, was likened to a shaving brush by Berliners and given this name. Operating restaurants, cafes, and a disco, Bierpinsel reflected the hedonistic tendencies of the period, truly creating a utopian climate. Although it is now abandoned, despite everything, it remains an important symbol of Berlin's side that holds onto the future with hope.

4. ICC - INTERNATIONALES CONGRESS CENTRUM

In 1979, a spaceship landed in Berlin. The captains of the ship were none other than the Schüler couple, who were also the architects of Bierpinsel! As one of the most expensive and largest congress centers in the world at the time, with a length of 320 meters and a width of 80 meters, the ICC caused great controversy, costing approximately 1 billion Marks. Inviting you on a time travel journey like a futuristic set with its silver aluminum facade covering the exterior, glowing neon orange and yellow corridors on the inside, and space base doors, the ICC continues to draw attention by the side of the Berlin highway today; though it remained closed for a long time, it is protected under listed monument status.

5. HAUS DES LEHRERS

The legendary chief architect of the GDR era, Hermann Henselmann, created an example showing the progressive face of East Berlin by designing this teachers' house, which opened in Alexanderplatz in 1964. As one of the city's first curtain-wall glass-clad skyscrapers, the point where HDL draws the most attention is the mosaic belt completely covering the 3rd and 4th floors. Signed by Walter Womacka and named "Unser Leben" (Our Life), this macro-mosaic piece is not just an architectural accessory but also a narrator embodying socialist societal ideals: it tells the story of social dynamics on a socialist plane, the ongoing space race, and how science and technology were envisioned, melting communist propaganda and cyber-futuristic aesthetics in the same pot.

6. MÄUSEBUNKER

This "mouse bunker," belonging to the Free University of Berlin, may have been used as a former animal experimentation laboratory; however, calling it the peak point of brutalismwould be the correct term. Taking the lead among the cyberpunk and dystopian architectural structures spreading through Berlin, the Mäusebunker was designed by Gerd Hänska in 1980. Ventilation shafts extend like gun barrels from the exterior of the building, while its inward-sloping triangular windows add a military and nuclear vibe to the structure. Despite appearing aggressive to our eyes, this building is actually the work of futuristic engineering. The ventilation system developed to keep the animal laboratory sterile actually created that "barrel" atmosphere. On the other hand, it wasn't particularly liked by the public due to the mysterious experiments that once took place inside and its harsh brutalist structure. Although its demolition was planned for many years, thanks to protests from architects and cyberpunk lovers worldwide, it is protected today and stands its ground.