John Hejduk, Kreuzberg Tower

Junction of Charlottenstrasse and Besselstrasse, Berlin 1069

Some images of John Hejduk’s contribution to the Berlin IBA 87, a project perhaps less successful ‘on the ground’ than some of the other IBA 1987 projects I’ve visited/blogged about, at least in terms of its relationship with its surroundings.

The design actually comprises three separate buildings, of which one is the central tower, the two others forming wings to a pre-exisiting building to the rear. All three are residential.

As with many IBA projects, I wonder whether the design of the actual apartments, in particular the sizing and positioning of windows, played second fiddle to architectural formalist facade games. I assume Hejduk didn’t reckon on the visual impact of satellite dishes, a de rigeur feature of social housing. But anyway, I’m no expert on his work, so can only respond as I find here.

If there’s a real problem, it’s the site immediately to the south; there are street entrances to the two wings, but the tower and enclosed communal space can only be approached across a piece of waste ground.  The garden area enclosed within the site looks pretty uncared for, and the empty plot in front just gives the impression of a forgotten place going to seed.

Such space is a unique aspect of Berlin among western capitals; even here, so close to the core of the city, are odd pockets of waste ground, some covering entire blocks. They are only slowly filling up, and for better or worse Berlin will be a different place when they’re all gone.

And that waste ground: not much of a view for the residents.