What do you think when you hear “modern” architecture?

So I think of extraordinary forms. Much curved lines. Odd but attractive places.

This is exactly the place I visited in Berlin: the Tempodrom

Neues Tempodrom Berlin

The tempodrome has its form not on a whim. In 1980, the foundation stone for events was laid precisely at this location: a circus tent. However, just a year later it was a bust. In 2001 the present building was built. Twice as expensive (32 million euros) and 4 years later it was again bust.

Today it is an eventlocation that is unique. The architects Gerkan, Marg und Partner, who also designed the “Leipzig Messe”, Berlin Airport TEGEL, Berlin Hauptbahnhof and many stadiums in China, Brazil and South Africa, also designed Tempodrom in Berlin.

My perceptions

My first image should show the symmetry, as well as the contrasts of the facade to the shadows. The roof construction, opening down like two sleeves, accommodates a lot of shadows and windows, in contrast to the white metal surface which ends in a crown.

In addition, the long-time exposure of the clouds intensifies the effect and gives the crown a bright shimmer of the light. In contrast the small spotlight, that looks very small caused by the wide-angle perspective. Because it looks so small you could think it only attempts to illuminate the roof.

At this point also a reference to my updated Portfolio Berlin.

-Neues Tempodrom – I [1649]-
Copyright Timon Först, Photographer for Architecture and Landscape Photography