Competition 1998 For the extensive modernisation of this underground railway station, sensitivity to its existing qualities was a priority for us since the whole station, the largest and most central in the city, is a top rated listed building. In order to make the underground station highly visible and distinctive to people passing through the square we turned it's materials and colours "inside-out" around the stair wells, lift shafts etc., bringing the colourfulness of the historic, large-format tile cladding from underground up to surface level. Other elements are modern steel and glass details which complement the existing structures in a way which is harmonious, yet also confident of its own effect.

This important listed building was built between 1910 and 1913 and extensively modernised and restored in line with its protected status between 2005 and 2007. The station’s characteristic alternating green and turquoise tiles are again used. A new service centre for the Berlin transport authority, the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), has been constructed in the large central concourse for the sale of tickets and for customer information. It also incorporates a newspaper and book shop. Functional and spacious, the design follows the logical "flow patterns" of the passengers, creating a presence which is imposing enough to be clearly visible from all the relevant directions. The three parallel double skin glass walls that run along the walls of the tunnel wall are designed as display cases with glass shelving, extending down the entire length. At the overlaps the newly-constructed rooms are entered through large glass doors. The walls incorporate illuminated end panels for carrying public information.

The highly transparent design makes for an unobtrusive entry to the surrounding heritage protected area and creates the interface between the inner sales and service area and the outer circulation area. The design of the counters and the rear cupboards within the service centre makes use of perspex in three shades of the green / turquoise / cyan spectrum and thus plays with the station’s dominant colour scheme. The impression of the tiles is picked up by the panels, with their small sections in the three different colours. This introduces a distinctive identity to the surrounding area, a modern design concept for a particular use. There are two workstations with computers and peripherals, along with storage space and an associated staff room with kitchenette, as well as an area for the bookshop, all with air-conditioning for ventilation, heating and cooling.

The character of this longitudinal space is mainly formed by the circulation stream of travellers. Islands are harmonically placed within the stream of this flowing movement. Thereby a continuity of space is created in which dynamic and static elements complement themselves.

Two types of Islands are located within this bright hall: The shops, as built volumes, that are of smooth and rounded character and are emphasised with vivid graphics and illumination. They are clear and calm volumes that create space and allow people to stream by or inside. Unbuilt, but clearly defined within the hall through light and materiality, are the two islands that form the access to the lower levels. From these levels the existing blue tiles reach out into the hall and clad balustrades, Information- and vending machine walls. The sculptural shape and the strong colour draws the attention of travellers to them and thereby supports the natural orientation.

The white ceiling is designed in analogy to a sky above a stream. An organic pattern resembling clouds translates between dynamic movement and built geometry. It consists of dot patterns, that creates an illusion of depth. The lower level accesses are accentuated by the intense light of a luminous ceiling.

The over all design guides the visitor. The access islands are shiny and bright with noticeable blue elements. They are visible from any spot within the hall and are of unmistakable identity whilst providing all related information and services. The ceiling pattern guides the view to the exits and the lower level accesses.

In 2010 excavation of known archaeological remnants of the first, medieval town hall of Berlin started. This triggered a political movement to retain as much of the findings as possible. The original policy to excavate, record and remove the remains was abandoned. We were asked to develop a revised design to take account of this.

As a result a very compact station was designed. Large openings bringing daylight to the platforms could not be realised anymore. The new design identity of the station was created by a strong spatial concept and an expressive structure using "mushroom columns" and the treatment of the walls. All wall surfaces are clad in sanded concrete panels. The design communicates the movement and dynamics associated with inner city rail travel.

We have now designed a totally new station in front of the Berliner Rathaus because the original design of 1999 is not to be executed due to a changed political and budgetary context.

The above ground structures of both western entrances are composed to form a cohesive design object "furnishing" the urban space. They are reduced to a minimum without roofs etc. to reduce obstruction of the view of the Berliner Rathaus. The stations materiality emerging at street level provides a visual connection between surface and underground.

The two main entrances located north and south of Rathausstrasse form a spatial unit displaying a clear structure, which is to be perceived above and below ground. Its open design offers daylight and good intervisibility in the station. Due to the ingress of light and clear visual contact between platform level and street level, passengers can easily orientate themselves. All this creates a user-friendly station with a high sense of personal security.

The new central train station and the government area are to be connected to the underground rail network by an extension of the U5 underground line from Alexanderplatz. We designed the new Station in front of the Berlin City Hall.

In the original design of 1999 - which derives from a cooperation with RRP London - this underground station was planned as an interchange station (underground lines U5 and U3) on two levels. In terms of an urban aesthetic this design stands - like it’s later versions - in a respectful relationship to the important facade of the Berlin Rathaus. Glazed strips in the Rathaus forecourt, which can be walked and driven over, bring daylight into the underground hall and guide the disembarking passengers to the surface. A user-friendly station without dark passageway but, instead, with a large, clearly laid-out hall which generates a sense of personal security.