A favourite building

The Reichstag, Berlin

Ann Alderson, access consultant and architect, continues our favourite building series

As an architect, there are several buildings that

I could list as favourites, from magnificent historic
buildings to innovative, ultra-modern ones.
Having spent some days in Berlin over the New
Year, I have chosen a mixture of both: the
wonderful glass cupola on the Reichstag building,
in what was East Berlin, the seat of the German
Bundestag (the German government).

The original Reichstag, built between 1884 and

1894, was designed by Paul Wallot and is in the
high renaissance style. In 1933 it was gutted by
fire, thought to have been started deliberately,
and by the end of the Second World War it was
all but completely destroyed. By 1970 it had been
restored and was used for regular meetings of
the East German Parliament. After reunification,
the building was extended and redesigned by
Norman Foster to accommodate the enlarged
parliament. Within the masonry shell, he made
the interior transparent, allowing light to
permeate and enabling the public to view the
activities of their elected members. This redesign
included the addition of the new glass cupola
over the main plenary chamber, which is open
to the public and replaces the original dome.

The cupola sits on the roof terrace of the

building. Its transparency contrasts with, but
also complements, the solidness of the original
building, clearly distinguishing between the old
and the new. In the centre of the cupola is a
striking skittle-shaped cone covered with small
rectangular mirrors. From its base, visitors can
look down through three storeys into the plenary
chamber on the first floor, again emphasising the
Entrance to the restaurant and cupola
The cone at the centre of the cupola
transparency and public access to the working of
the government.
One of the unique features of the cupola is its
accessibility. Two gently sloping, helical ramps
curve around the inside of the cupola, one for
ascent to the viewing platform at the top and
the other for descent, allowing easy one-way
circulation. The ramps have glazed barriers with
circular steel handrails, maintaining the lightness
and transparency of the structure, and are
sufficiently wide to allow people to pause and
admire the ever-changing views of the city. They
have a grey, lightly textured, non-slip vinyl
finish, and a darker grey colour is used for the
level platforms. The spacious viewing platform
at the highest point covers the top of the cone. It
has a central sculpture around which there is
seating, and similar transparent, glazed barriers

32 Access by Design Issue 114

A favourite building
The stark contrast between old and new
at the edges, allowing the fine 360-degree
views of the city to be fully appreciated. To
prevent direct sunlight causing glare and to
reduce solar heating within the cupola, there is
a mesh screen that can be relocated according
to the sun’s position.
Apart from being aesthetically impressive, the
cone has several functions, exemplifying Norman
Foster’s eco-friendly, high technology philosophy,
which is carried throughout the building. The 360
mirrors can be angled electronically to reflect
daylight into the plenary chamber three floors
below, thus reducing the need for artificial
lighting. The cone also acts as a chimney for the
natural ventilation of the cupola. It allows warm
waste air to rise and exit through the open top
of the cupola, while drawing fresh air in from the
vents at its base. Inside the cone there is a heat
recovery system that removes the heat from the
waste air and recirculates it to heat the building.
Access to the cupola for visitors is up a flight of
steps to the main portal at first floor level; from
there, a lift takes visitors up to the roof terrace
and the cupola. For people unable to negotiate
the steps, there is a rather discrete accessible
entrance to the side of the steps, reached by a
ramp down to lower ground floor level, which is
served by the lift. This entrance is also used by
those with reservations for the public restaurant
on the roof terrace, allowing them to avoid the
long queues at the main entrance.
There is an accessible toilet off the hallway next
to the accessible entrance, but there is no
signage. It is a spacious room containing a
peninsular WC with drop-down rails either side,
and a washbasin well away from the WC. Unlike
BS 8300, the German standard (DIN 18024/2) only
specifies the height and depth of the WC, the
space around it, and the position of drop-down
rails, flush handle, toilet-roll holder and backrest.
Berlin offers both amazing modern architecture
by some of the world’s leading architects, as well
as much history through its restored buildings
and interesting museums. The cupola on the
Reichstag has become an icon of modern Berlin,
sparkling by day and glowing by night, boasting
state-of-the-art technology while being sensitive
to the building’s history.
 COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

Title: The Reichstag, Berlin

Source: Access Des no114 Spr 2008 p. 32, Inside Back Cover
ISSN: 0959-1591
Publisher: Centre for Accessible Environments
70 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL, United Kingdom

The magazine publisher is the copyright holder of this article and it is reproduced
with permission. Further reproduction of this article in violation of the copyright is
prohibited. To contact the publisher: http://www.cae.org.uk/

This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling, loan or sub-
licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make
any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently
verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever
caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.