A Guide To Brutalism In Berlin

Visiting some of the best examples of Brutalism architecture in Europe
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Fotostrasse’s Guide To Brutalism In Berlin is a simple and easy way to explore the beauty of concrete in the German capital. From the weird shaped Bierpinsel in Steglitz to the battleship style construction of the Mäusebunker in Lichterfelde, Berlin has some of the best examples of Brutalism architecture in Europe; here guide you through some of the places.
But before we go into the locations, we have to talk a bit about what brutalism is. This architecture style started emerging in the late 1940s, after the end of the Second World War. The goal was to give form to the function of the early Modernism movement and shape a new society with a focus on rationally designed buildings where people could put ideas of social emancipation into place. Brutalism was more than just something aesthetic. The concept here was to change society.

And concrete was the means to an end here since it became a readily available, cheap and quick way for cities to rebuild places where people gather and restore the cityscape into what it once was.

Brutalism became important to Berlin due to its social ambitions and its financial cost. Since the city was left in ruins, brutalism restored the cityscape quickly and left the past behind.

Some of these buildings were demolished throughout the years, and these monuments to an ambitious futuristic society only live in old postcards. But there are still some that remain, spread around Berlin and influencing new standards of architectural beauty.

Here are some of our favourites ones for this short guide to Brutalism in Berlin with Fotostrasse.




Brutalism architecture in Berlin

Bierpinsel in Steglitz

Bierpinsel is the work of Ralph Schüler und Ursulina Schüler-Witte an architect couple who also designed the brutalist ICC Conference Center in Berlin-Westend. Visually speaking, the original concept that came from the couple was that of a tree shape, but the people that live around it saw something else, and this is how it got the nickname Bierpinsel, which can be translated as beer brush.

The Bierpinsel can be found next to a highway in the middle of Steglitz. It closed its doors to the public in 2002 for construction work. Back in 2006, it closed its doors to the public and never opened again. Before it shut down, it used to house restaurants, bars, pubs and even a nightclub across its four levels. But none of it exists today.

Bierpinsel is the work of Ralph Schüler und Ursulina Schüler-Witte an architect couple who also designed the brutalist ICC Conference Center in Berlin-Westend. The original concept that came from the couple was that of a tree shape, but I don’t think this idea is there today. It looks more like a crazy Lego creation than anything else. Either way, it took four years to build it, between 1972 and 1976 and, according to the legend, it got its nickname due to the amount of free beer that was served on the opening day.
Bierpinsel in Steglitz

Mäusebunker in Lichterfelde

The Central Animal Laboratory of the Freie Universität, also known as the Mäusebunker, is one of the best examples of Brutalist architecture in Berlin. Designed by Gerd Hänska, this construction project took over a decade of development due to opposition from the neighbourhood and animal rights activists.

The basic shape of the Mäusebunker is interrupted by blue cylindrical shapes that work as ventilation pipelines and build a battleship on land look. Menacing to some, quite interesting for others.

The Central Animal Laboratory of the Freie Universität is one of the best examples of Brutalist architecture in Berlin, and we visited the building at the end of December 2016 to see this strange looking building in the middle of Lichterfelde. It took us a while to find it, but once you see it, there is no way of ignoring it based on its monstrous appearance and the contrast with the area surrounding it.
The Central Animal Laboratory of the Freie Universität is one of the best examples of Brutalist architecture in Berlin, and we visited the building at the end of December 2016 to see this strange looking building in the middle of Lichterfelde. It took us a while to find it, but once you see it, there is no way of ignoring it based on its monstrous appearance and the contrast with the area surrounding it.
The Central Animal Laboratory of the Freie Universität is one of the best examples of Brutalist architecture in Berlin, and we visited the building at the end of December 2016 to see this strange looking building in the middle of Lichterfelde. It took us a while to find it, but once you see it, there is no way of ignoring it based on its monstrous appearance and the contrast with the area surrounding it.
Mäusebunker in Lichterfelde
Most people call it the HKW, Haus der Kulturen der Welt in German, translated as the House of the Cultures of the World. Designed by American architect Hugh Stubbins as part of the Interbau Program in 1957, which also gave Berlin the Hansaviertel, this curved structure looks magnificent.

The Pallasseum in Schöneberg

Built between 1974 and 1977, after the Berliner Sportpalast was demolished, the Pallasseum is a prime example of brutalist architecture as an example of modern living. Designed by a group of architects that included Jürgen Sawade, Dieter Frowein, Dietmar Grötzebach and Günter Plessow, this residential complex comprises concrete and houses over two thousand people.

We mentioned the Pallasseum when we wrote about bunkers in Berlin since the building was built over the Hochbunker Pallasstraße which was used as a location for the movie Der Himmel über Berlin by Wim Wenders.

Built between 1974 and 1977, after the Berliner Sportpalast was demolished, the Pallasseum is a prime example of brutalist architecture as an example of modern living. Designed by a group of architects that included Jürgen Sawade, Dieter Frowein, Dietmar Grötzebach and Günter Plessow, this residential complex comprises concrete and houses over two thousand people.
Built between 1974 and 1977, after the Berliner Sportpalast was demolished, the Pallasseum is a prime example of brutalist architecture as an example of modern living. Designed by a group of architects that included Jürgen Sawade, Dieter Frowein, Dietmar Grötzebach and Günter Plessow, this residential complex comprises concrete and houses over two thousand people.
Built between 1974 and 1977, after the Berliner Sportpalast was demolished, the Pallasseum is a prime example of brutalist architecture as an example of modern living. Designed by a group of architects that included Jürgen Sawade, Dieter Frowein, Dietmar Grötzebach and Günter Plessow, this residential complex comprises concrete and houses over two thousand people.

St. Agnes Kirche in Kreuzberg

In the aftermath of the Second World War, much of Berlin was destroyed, and one of the areas that suffered the most was Kreuzberg. Especially this section that led troops to fight closer to where the last pieces of nazi resistance in the city stood. This is why this part of the city went through lots of urban regeneration projects since those days.

One of the most visually exciting projects in the area is the concrete building called St. Agnes Kirche. This was a church that was destroyed and rebuilt in a brutalist style by 1967, according to the plans by Werner Düttmann.

At first, this was a catholic church and held catholic services until 2004. After, it was rented to a protestant church, but, in 2011, it was leased to an art gallery. This is why you’ll find different sculptures and art pieces outside the building from time to time.

One of the most visually exciting projects in the area is the concrete building called St. Agnes Kirche. This was a church that was destroyed and rebuilt in a brutalist style by 1967, according to the plans by Werner Düttmann.
One of the most visually exciting projects in the area is the concrete building called St. Agnes Kirche. This was a church that was destroyed and rebuilt in a brutalist style by 1967, according to the plans by Werner Düttmann.
One of the most visually exciting projects in the area is the concrete building called St. Agnes Kirche. This was a church that was destroyed and rebuilt in a brutalist style by 1967, according to the plans by Werner Düttmann.

HKW or the Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Tiergarten

Most people call it the HKW, Haus der Kulturen der Welt in German, translated as the House of the Cultures of the World. Designed by American architect Hugh Stubbins as part of the Interbau Program in 1957, which also gave Berlin the Hansaviertel, this curved structure looks magnificent.

HKW was built as a symbol of freedom, an architectural analogy for what West Berlin stood for, and it was placed next to the border between East and West. It became a landmark of the post-war landscape in Berlin, and it’s one of our favourite buildings in the city.

I had the pleasure of working there as a photographer during the Transmediale in 2013. During those days, I walked all around the building and explored everything I could. Some of the pictures here are from these days.

Most people call it the HKW, Haus der Kulturen der Welt in German, translated as the House of the Cultures of the World. Designed by American architect Hugh Stubbins as part of the Interbau Program in 1957, which also gave Berlin the Hansaviertel, this curved structure looks magnificent.
Most people call it the HKW, Haus der Kulturen der Welt in German, translated as the House of the Cultures of the World. Designed by American architect Hugh Stubbins as part of the Interbau Program in 1957, which also gave Berlin the Hansaviertel, this curved structure looks magnificent.
Most people call it the HKW, Haus der Kulturen der Welt in German, translated as the House of the Cultures of the World. Designed by American architect Hugh Stubbins as part of the Interbau Program in 1957, which also gave Berlin the Hansaviertel, this curved structure looks magnificent.

Tschechische Botschaft, the Embassy of Czechoslovakia in Wilhelmplatz

The Embassy of Czechoslovakia in Mitte can be found around Wilhelmplatz since the 1970s when it moved from Prenzlauer Berg. The design stands from the other buildings in the area since its socialist brutalist style is unique.

The design comes from Věra and Vladimír Machonin in collaboration with Klaus Pätzmann, and the building they created seems to float above the ground. Some people even joke that it looks more like a UFO than a building since its windows give it a futuristic look.

Personally, we love it, but it’s a complex construction to document in pictures since its massive size and position on the corner is hard for some photographers like us.

The design comes from Věra and Vladimír Machonin in collaboration with Klaus Pätzmann, and the building they created seems to float above the ground. Some people even joke that it looks more like a UFO than a building since its windows give it a futuristic look.
The design comes from Věra and Vladimír Machonin in collaboration with Klaus Pätzmann, and the building they created seems to float above the ground. Some people even joke that it looks more like a UFO than a building since its windows give it a futuristic look.
The design comes from Věra and Vladimír Machonin in collaboration with Klaus Pätzmann, and the building they created seems to float above the ground. Some people even joke that it looks more like a UFO than a building since its windows give it a futuristic look.

Klinikum am Urban in Kreuzberg

The Klinikum am Urban was first founded back in 1887 in Kreuzberg, right next to the Landwehr Canal. During the Second World War, it was heavily damaged, and, in 1966, the then-mayor Willy Brandt laid the foundation stone. This would be the first hospital in the city after the end of the war, and the inauguration was such an event that even Gustav Heinemann, the German president, was there.

Designed by the architect Peter Poelzig, the v-shaped construction is made of reinforced concrete, and it spans nine stories, housing more than 700 hospital beds that are still used today.

The Klinikum am Urban was first founded back in 1887 in Kreuzberg, right next to the Landwehr Canal. During the Second World War, it was heavily damaged, and, in 1966, the then-mayor Willy Brandt laid the foundation stone. This would be the first hospital in the city after the end of the war, and the inauguration was such an event that even Gustav Heinemann, the German president, was there.
The Klinikum am Urban was first founded back in 1887 in Kreuzberg, right next to the Landwehr Canal. During the Second World War, it was heavily damaged, and, in 1966, the then-mayor Willy Brandt laid the foundation stone. This would be the first hospital in the city after the end of the war, and the inauguration was such an event that even Gustav Heinemann, the German president, was there.
The Klinikum am Urban was first founded back in 1887 in Kreuzberg, right next to the Landwehr Canal. During the Second World War, it was heavily damaged, and, in 1966, the then-mayor Willy Brandt laid the foundation stone. This would be the first hospital in the city after the end of the war, and the inauguration was such an event that even Gustav Heinemann, the German president, was there.

The Paul Gerhardt Church in Schöneberg

The history here is similar to other location in Berlin: a building was heavily damaged during the Second World War, and a new one replaced it. The original Paul Gerhardt Church was one of the few Art Nouveau churches in Berlin, and it defined the cityscape of the neighbourhood for years.

The replacement church was designed by Hermann Fehling, Daniel Gogel and Peter Pfankuch and built between 1958 and 1962 with its angular shapes and exciting angles.

I used to cycle to the office on Hauptstrasse back in 2017, and this church was one of the best things to watch while passing by. This was when I started researching it.

The history here is similar to other location in Berlin: a building was heavily damaged during the Second World War, and a new one replaced it. The original Paul Gerhardt Church was one of the few Art Nouveau churches in Berlin, and it defined the cityscape of the neighbourhood for years.

Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Tiergarten

Mäusebunker in Lichterfelde

The Pallasseum in Schöneberg

Bierpinsel in Steglitz

St. Agnes Kirche in Kreuzberg

the Embassy of Czechoslovakia in Wilhelmplatz

Klinikum am Urban in Kreuzberg

The Paul Gerhardt Church in Schöneberg

If you’re looking for concrete buildings in Berlin, a few don’t match the principles of brutalism but are interesting to see. Like the historical Schwerbelastungskörper and the Aerodynamic Park in Berlin-Adlershof.

If you are interested in architectural travel, we have an article for you as well.

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