Unrealized Berlin

A new exhibit in Germany looks at a variety of unrealized and unbuilt plans for Berlin created by 100 different architects and planners.

1 minute read

July 26, 2010, 7:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


The exhibit collects visions created for various design competitions focusing on the German city.

"There are plenty of people who agree that Berlin is an ugly city -- especially when compared to more attractive metropolises like London, Paris or Madrid. Then again, which city has seen as much history as Berlin? No other city was destroyed to the same degree in World War II, and no other city divided afterward.

Rather than discouraging architects and urban planners, the German capital's divisive history, with all the joy and tragedy it entails, has never ceased to inspire. They have flocked to compete in architectural contests from all over the world -- and this despite the fact that most of the entries in these competitions, which took place throughout the 20th century, could never become reality."

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 in Der Spiegel

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