In 1952, the construction of stately gingerbread style buildings started at the Strausberger Platz. Due to their variety of architectural styles, these blocks of houses are an admirable example of the building history of the GDR. While their Meissen ceramic fronts likely count as their most distinctive and defining characteristic, these GDR edifices are captivating on the inside as well where impressive staircases serve a sign of openness and fortitude of the GDR citizens. With their facilities and features, these apartments were well above average at the time, coming with a lift, district heating, hot water supply systems, built-in kitchens, telephone connections, intercoms and rubbish chutes on every floor.
Today, the facades and the apartments are renovated and being marketed.
To rediscover the GDR feeling with its interior design as well, the Gallery Central Berlin displays antique GDR furniture and accessories in its exhibition rooms, offering suggestions and ideas. Open yourself to inspiration and get a personal expression of what a living room in the GDR really looked like.
As an interior designer, Stephan Schilgen was the one to restore these GDR classics. Uniqueness and authenticity become apparent in three different room boxes, each with its own individual atmosphere. But GDR furniture and lamps are not the only interesting objects to be found there as Stephan Schilgen combines mid-twentieth century furniture from former Czechoslovakia, Poland, the Soviet Union, Germany, France, Italy, England and the USA. As an inimitable example of socialist classicism, the Karl Marx Allee is a great inspiration for the gallery.
Among other things, you’ll find GDR Barcelona chairs, the Senftenberger Ei (a foldable chair for outside areas), Sputnik lamps or a dandelion crystal lamp.
However, the best is always to have a look yourself and feel inspired by visiting the gallery.
Enjoy the throw-back in time!
Impressions:
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Back in time
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Sputnik Lamp, designed in 1970
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Everything is about the details
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Gallery - Retro Style
You are welcome to visit the Gallery from Wednesday to Friday from 12am till 6pm!
CENTRAL BERLIN – DDR limited – Gallery
Strausberger Platz 16-18
10243 Berlin
Homepage: www.centralberlin.de
