INVOLUNTARY FORM – MAGICAL EFFECT.

Constrained in its cubature to a „Flatiron“ form by an underground intercity train tunnel, the faCade nevertheless represents quite magical freedom of design.

The Grimm’s Hotel impressively turns into a highly visible trademark at dusk. A mixture of the latest 3D clinker brick slips, classic NF clinker slips and large-format backlit cut-to-length fairytale motifs made of perforated stainless steel sheet highlights the building‘s motto: a family-run and individual hotel – for a cosmopolitan approach to life.

A magical green area had already been developed in this previous no-man‘s land of the Berlin rail triangle close to Potsdamer Platz. However, as part of a wave of construction, the west side of the park was cleared for the development of a hotel and 130 rented or owned flats – with the area featuring a number of planning and construction challenges. Underground, an intercity train tunnel projected into the construction site of the Grimm‘s Hotel and thus defined the footprint as a triangle. In the east, the property bordered the Hallesche Ufer street. Deep foundation elements and deformation monitoring of the tunnel during the groundwater reduction required an especially short construction time. As a result of technical and economic requirements, the design consisted of a mix of solid, semi-finished part and finished part construction methods - including on the facade.

Special moulded parts were developed for the facade to apply them in connection with precast concrete elements. And to meet the design requirements of the staggered cornice walls and the rounded, protruding building tip.

The shape and clinker facade are reminiscent of the Flatiron Building in New York. But the interplay of the materials really put this in the shade, and not just when illuminated.