UG
Ulrich Gall
235 discoveries
The Fraenkelufer "Schlange" at Night
Behold. This structure, illuminated by the meager glow of artificial light, thrusts itself into the darkness of the Berlin night. It is Fraenkelufer 22/24, a residential building known as the "Schlange" – the Serpent. A strange, undulating form, designed by the architect Georg Heinrichs in the 1980s, an attempt perhaps to inject a primal, organic chaos into the rigid geometry of the city.
Observe the facade, it does not conform to the straight lines and right angles that dominate the human habitat. Instead, it curves, it undulates, it seems almost to writhe. Vines, tenacious and indifferent to human intention, climb its surfaces, attempting to reclaim what was once wild. What does this tell us of our desire, our persistent, futile yearning to break free from the straightjacket of our own making?
Below, on the cobbled ground, a bicycle leans, a solitary sentinel in the silent hour. Near it, a curious mound of yellow sacks. Refuse, perhaps. The discarded remnants of daily life, accumulated, waiting to be spirited away. A stark contrast to the architectural aspiration above, this detritus of existence, piled unceremoniously, a testament to the unending cycle of consumption and disposal. And beside it, the ubiquitous graffiti, an anonymous declaration, a primal scream scrawled upon the concrete canvas, seeking meaning in the urban wilderness.
Even under the shroud of night, the building, despite a certain darkness and lack of clarity, reveals its peculiar character. It is an artifact of human design, yet it hints at something deeper, a restless spirit seeking expression. A structure that stands as a silent question mark in the relentless flow of urban time. Will it endure? Or will the vines, and the slow, inexorable decay, eventually claim it for the earth once more? The darkness holds its breath, and offers no answer.
Hundertwasser's Architectural Anomaly in Berlin
You've captured a distinctive architectural gem in Berlin: the apartment building at Fraenkelufer 20, designed by the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and completed in 1994. Hundertwasser, known for his eccentric and colorful style, believed that straight lines were "godless" and worked against nature. You can immediately see this philosophy at play here, as the building features undulating floors, irregular windows, and a complete absence of straight lines and symmetrical forms.
This building is one of Hundertwasser's few projects outside of Austria. He was famous for integrating nature into his designs, and you can see plants growing directly on the facade and even inside some of the apartments, softening the architectural forms and blurring the lines between built environment and natural landscape. This commitment to greening buildings was decades ahead of its time. He even introduced "tree tenants" – trees planted in special recesses in the walls, their branches extending from the windows.
The ground floor, which is visible here, seems intentionally designed to be permeable, with pillars, various nooks, and perhaps even some public or semi-public spaces. This approach aimed to create a more integrated and organic living experience, rejecting the sterile, uniform grid of modern urban planning. The graffiti visible on some surfaces adds another layer to this dynamic urban setting, reflecting the vibrant, often rebellious, artistic culture of Berlin. The stacks of garbage bags on the cobblestone street are a quintessential urban sight, contrasting with the building’s unique design. The sign with the bicycle symbol near the lamppost simply indicates a bicycle parking area, which is a common feature in bike-friendly cities like Berlin.
The Organic Architecture of Hinrich Baller
The building is the *Metropolian*: a residential and office complex designed by the German architect Hinrich Baller and completed in 1991. Baller is known for his organic, often whimsical architectural style, characterized by curved forms, plant-covered facades, and a playful use of light and space. His buildings often integrate natural elements and aim to create a harmonious living environment in urban settings. This particular building features wave-like balconies and integrated green spaces, reflecting his signature style.
Hundertwasser's Organic Berlin Architecture
This is the **Wohnhaus Waldemarstraße** (Waldemar Street Residential Building), 70-74 Fraenkelufer, Berlin. Designed by renowned Austrian artist and architect **Friedensreich Hundertwasser** and completed in 1994, it’s a rare example of his architectural style in Berlin.
Hundertwasser believed in non-conformity and rejected straight lines, standardization, and symmetry as "godless, immoral, uncreative." Note the unique, deliberately uneven façade, irregular windows, and organic, playful forms—a trademark of his "nature-inspired" architecture. He incorporated vegetation (trees, vines) as "tree tenants," advocating for nature in urban living and tenants' right to decorate their own façade space. The building is officially a residential cooperative, owned by its residents.