Neustädtische Kirchstraße 4-5

The building at Neustädtische Kirchstraße 4-5 forms the eastern boundary of Neustädtischer Kirchplatz as a perimeter block development and was built in 1886/87 by the architectural firm Hermann von der Hude & Julius Hennicke as a prototype warehouse for the army and navy in the French early Renaissance style. This building marks the starting point for the development of the typology of the department store. In 1936, the building was converted into the House of German Crafts with a hall in the enlarged northern courtyard and new access. In addition to significant alterations to the façade, the mansard roof was replaced by another stepped floor. During the 1978 conversion into the headquarters of the American Embassy in East Berlin, numerous additional alterations were made to the building fabric.
While Neustädtische Kirchstraße 4-5 was constructed as a hybrid of classic masonry with a natural stone façade and modern steel construction with innovative corrugated sheet metal cap ceiling (a construction method that is unique in Berlin today), the new building on the adjacent side consists of a reinforced concrete structure with a high proportion of exposed concrete and a façade made of dark exposed concrete prefabricated elements. The roof, façades and new entrance area thrive on the dialogue between heritage protection and modern interpretation by updating the old building with modern means.
The individual levels are fitted out with modular wall systems with overhead lights and integrated cabinet modules. Both the existing and new buildings meet the highest standards of room acoustics and indoor climate.