Bootshaus „Elektra“, Berlin–Oberschöneweide, Peter Behrens, 1910/11

July 2014

This house strikes the eye by a funny proportion. From the street side – where the usually published photos are taken from – it seems as if the roof ran down a little too much, the two upper storeys being covered with clinkers. Boathouses in general should promise fun indeed, not just this one by Behrens. The river side shows a more monumental sight, but also a shabbiness (not ugly) and disuse. But some not-too-hasty restoration works took place in the summer as went there, so it may already look different.

Alléhusene, Gentofte, Denmark, Arne Jacobsen 1949-1953

May 2013

At the end of a long, wonderful walk on a beautiful spring day, I am looking for the train station to go back to Copenhagen. The street is blocked, but I meet a man who shows me the way to the station. We talk a little and I say I am here because of architecture. „I have just been to Dubai, you should see the architecture there.“ How to tell him that the house he lives in is way more interesting for me than any starchitect zoo? I did try, don’t know if I succeeded though.

Siedlung „Am Heidehof“, Berlin, Paul Mebes, Paul Emmerich, 1923-25

August 2014

An appealing mix of brick, gothic arches, half-streets, half-gardens and some tame nature. One of my favourite garden cities in Berlin.