Refurbishment of the snake: Berlin's concrete monster wanks again!

Refurbishment of the snake: Berlin's concrete monster wanks again!

The "snake" in Berlin-Wilmersdorf remains an important and controversial building, which is not only claimed in the history of the city not only with its unique brutalism architecture, but also by its criminal past. Built between 1976 and 1980, the high -rise building is around 600 meters long, 47 meters high and houses around 3,000 tenants in 1,215 apartments. Originally, it was supposed to serve as a solution for the acute lack of living space in the west of Berlin, which at that time existed due to precious building plots and an overall increasing population pressure. The building, which offers a combination of living space and integrated commercial use on the ground floor zone, is now considered one of the most extraordinary copies of brutalism in Berlin. The concept provided to create its own “neighborhood in the neighborhood”, which is still under discussion.

The construction of brutalism, which is characterized by raw concrete surfaces and radical functionality, is often considered aesthetically brave. The term "brutalism" is derived from the French "Béton Brut", which means "raw concrete". In Berlin there are numerous important buildings in brutalism, such as the mouse bunker or the St.-Egnes Church, which are now attractive today. The creation of such places through brutalist architecture has meant that many obscure and multifunctional true landmarks of the city have become.

renovation plans in sight

The Degewo has now started a planning process for the renovation of the “snake” residential complex. Due to the age of the building and the fact that it is getting old, comprehensive modernization becomes unavoidable. A public tender for project control of the planning services has already been published, which signaled that specific action is imminent. At the earliest, the construction of the renovation measures could take place in 2024, provided the evaluation is positive.

The history of the "snake" project is as impressive as it is controversial. After the establishment of the residential complex, which initially included 1,800 apartments and 28 commercial units, the Renault Traffic Future Award was awarded in 2002, and in 2017 the "snake" received the monument status. Tenants and political representatives are informed about the upcoming planning measures, since such a renovation of this size requires an experienced project tax.

The context of brutalism

brutalism has a comprehensive history in Berlin and not only stands for residential buildings, but also for various monuments that shape the city's structural identity. This includes not only residential complexes, but also for industrial and cultural functions. The iconic Berlin Wall itself is another example of brutalist architecture that has its place in German building history. The "mouse bunker" is another known example, which is notorious for its contemporaries and is now a listed building.

The discussion about the "snake" and its future illustrates that brutalistic buildings not only have authorization to exist, but also have to be valued as important components of the urban heritage. The identity of Berlin is not only reduced to the modernized visions, but also to the appreciation and preservation of the architectural diversity that the city shapes, as different reports show. Therefore, the strengthening of the monument protection and the idea of ​​the preservation of such buildings remains a central concern in urban development.

Overall, the "snake" remains a fascinating example of the exciting interaction between architecture, urban development and social history in Berlin.

Berliner Zeitung
DeGewo
Tip Berlin