Lithograph on cardboard © TU Berlin, Architekturmuseum
Theater at the Schiffbauerdamm
Historical building report
Berlin-Mitte
2012
Architectural-historical classification
On behalf of the Ilse Holzapfel Foundation, we prepared an architectural history report on the exterior facade of the Haus des Berliner Ensembles. The study examined the building’s development from 1891, when the firm Simon & Co. took over the construction project and commissioned architect Heinrich Seeling to design it, through the redesign into the “Berliner Ensemble” initiated by Helene Weigel in 1957, up to its current appearance, which is largely the result of the renovation work carried out in 1987–88.
Research and Results
The aim of the study was to establish a solid foundation for a future renovation and reconstruction plan for the facades. The focus was on the systematic evaluation of all available sources, particularly historical plans, views, and photographs of the original facade design.
While no original plans could be found for the later construction phases, the development of the facade could be largely traced using historical photographs and reconstructed in terms of its major changes.