View Full Version : [Berlin] Crematorium Baumschulenweg - xel Schultes Architekten & Charlotte Frank


SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:00
by Axel Schultes Architekten & Charlotte Frank 1998

(Phaidon Atlas No.635)

Also knowns as Treptow Crematorium

Treptow Crematorium has become an object of study for enthusiastic friends and students of contemporary architecture from all over the world. It was built in the years 1996-98 and designed by Axel Schultes with Charlotte Frank, who shortly afterwards also designed the chancellor's office. More fascinating than the building itself is the enclosed space, which has been compared to Stonehenge, Karnac or the Mosque at Cordoba. 29 concrete supports, as made of marble, rise from the ground like trees at irregular intervals and give structure to the rectangular Hall of the Dead. Their tops are crowned by circular capitals of daylight where they break through the ceiling In the centre of this vast grove of pillars lies a round pool, smooth as glass. The geometrical clarity, control of material and light in the crematorium is breathtaking. By also creatively drawing on cultures all over the world, the architects allow the visitor to experience a unique, deep and multi-layered sense of the space.

Address: Kiefholzstr. 221 12437 Berlin
Tel: +49 030 - 639581-0
Bus, Tube, Tram: S 6, S 8, S 9, S 10, S 45, S 46 Baumschulenweg; Bus 166
Hours of opening: Mon-Fri 9.00-15.00

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:00
Another shot

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:01
here is the map
you can see the train station at the bottom right

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:01
This is the entrance to the crematorium compound. If you want to go INSIDE the crematorium building, you should aim to visit during weekday rather than weekends!

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:01
through those archways

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:02
closer

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:02
scale

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:02
entry stairs

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:02
walking around the side (side elevation)

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:03
around the back (with vehicle access and carpark ramp to basement below)

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:05
here you can see the sunken landscape with the carpark below clearly

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:05
although i didn't make it inside, i was able to see what the space looks like through the glass

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:05
the chapel inside

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:05
the sides

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:06
see the sand/ash(?) pile on the side

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:06
the famous ceiling + columns

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:06
detail of skylight

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 00:57
last one for now, material detail

thankyou

sigue2000
22-02-2006, 01:37
Another detail apart from the sand (reference to egypt and passing time).

Thank you for posting. I haven't been there yet. :rock on:

jparchitectus
22-02-2006, 02:00
Well done as usual - You always view things and shoot projects as an architect - you have a skill in breaking down the scale while revealing the procession thru a building..

SWANK-E
22-02-2006, 02:20
Another detail apart from the sand (reference to egypt and passing time).

Thank you for posting. I haven't been there yet. :rock on:

interesting bit about the egg, i never noticed it and i thought you were pulling my leg for a moment until i checked my photos!

must be symbolism for 'rebirth'?
how did you know about the egg?

kschetan
18-02-2007, 08:54
nice building...... nice snaps swank e....
I like the abstractness of the inside than the massing.....

anuusiva
04-08-2008, 13:25
hey,
am doing a study on this crematorium ,and i have never been to Berlin.can u pl tell me how its roof will be?? as in where does the column ends? from the picture you posted ,i can clearly see that the ceiling roof is slotted to give lightning through louvered glazing. i wanna know about the non-structural column.are they free standing elements , who ends abruptly ?:wondering

sigue2000
04-08-2008, 15:38
Those are structural columns. As far as I know they end in the roof with a skylight above.

sigue2000
04-08-2008, 15:41
Here's a detail of the joint by retteketet from Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/retteketet/2324748722/)

anuusiva
16-08-2008, 08:55
oh..they are structural column ah!!gr8.thanks a lot.clears loadsa of my confusion.