henning larsen to add to berlin's urban tapestry with 'ku'lturhof' neighborhood

ku’lturhof: A New Neighborhood Heart for West Berlin

Henning Larsen Architects reveals its winning entry, titled ‘Ku’lturhof,’ for a competition aimed at transforming Berlin‘s Kurfürstendamm 231. The project aims to create a vibrant new destination that celebrates community, culture, and heritage of the German city. Competing against prominent firms such as Cobe, David Chipperfield, and Mäckler Architekten, Henning Larsen Architects secured the opportunity to shape the future of this location.

The winning urban concept revolves around a central courtyard that acts as the heart of the neighborhood, an outdoor meeting place for the community. Surrounding this courtyard will be a family of nine buildings, including the existing Agrippina House, which will be thoughtfully designed to complement the diverse architectural characteristics of Berlin, nodding to the DNA of Charlottenburg and the iconic Kurfürstendamm boulevard.

image © Aesthetica | @aesthetica_studio

henning larsen adds to berlin’s ‘architectural tapestry’

Henning Larsen’s winning ‘Ku’lturhof’ design for Kurfürstendamm 231 will take shape with both a respect for the area’s heritage and a celebration of the layered urban fabric that now shapes Berlin. The architects aim for the public courtyard at the heart of the development to become the space that defines Ku’lturhof.

‘Collaboration is key to creating an open framework for a vibrant urban development,’ says Louis Becker, Global Design Principal, Henning Larsen. ‘We want to be generous to the city, striking a delicate balance between honoring the history and DNA of Charlottenburg and the iconic Ku’damm. The nine distinct buildings within the plan exemplify the architectural tapestry Berlin is known for and the beauty of the project lies in the public courtyard at its heart. This is the space that Ku’lturhof will be known for.‘

image © Vivid Vision | @3dvividvision

Cultural Life and Community Engagement

With its Ku’lturhof project, Henning Larsen Architects prioritizes cultural life and community engagement. It will feature exhibition areas, spaces dedicated to cultural institutions, and a district kindergarten, all designed to foster a sense of community and provide opportunities for cultural exploration. At ground level, the project will include dining terraces, art galleries, meeting spaces, and commercial areas, inviting both residents and visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant neighborhood. The development also incorporates a new passage, enhancing accessibility and inclusivity by connecting Ku’damm with the surrounding area.

‘Envisioning the site as a cultural meeting place for people, continues Berlin’s DNA as a cultural stronghold and creates a much-needed space at the centre of Berlin’s City West. A place, which puts public, cultural live first,’ says Greta Tiedje, Associate Design Director, Henning Larsen.

image © Vivid Vision

a sustainable spirit through adaptive reuse

Preservation and transformation play a significant role in the Ku’lturhof project. The Agrippina House, a listed heritage building, will be preserved and integrated into the complex through careful adaptation in collaboration with the monument protection office. A new timber building will be added, facing the new courtyard and extending the rear of the Agrippina House. The team also proposes a community garden on the historic building’s rooftop, further enhancing the project’s connection to nature.

Facade design across the project draws inspiration from the surrounding unique buildings, incorporating their color scheme, openness, and rhythm. The use of sustainable and patinating materials ensures that the city facade maintains its warm and inviting character. Integrated exterior spaces and a deep relief design within each building foster a sense of connection and integration with the streetscape, allowing residents to feel part of the urban environment.

The high-rise Ku’lturhof development will be completed by a new building that rises 134 meters (440 feet). The architects hope for this structure to become a prominent landmark along the Kurfürstendamm. It will introduce a publicly accessible viewing platform to offer sweeping, panoramic views across West Berlin. What’s more, an elevated building strategically positioned along Augsburger Strasse will create a stepping transition to the district of Charlottenburg/Wilmersdorf. These buildings are carefully oriented to frame the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, creating new views from public terraces and improving microclimates at Breitscheitplatz.