Design in Berlin: From Oppression to Liberation

This city has a very storied past as it has gone through so many changes in its history. Design elements are considered extremely important in Berlin due to the power they have to convey ideas to the populous.

While in Berlin we had the opportunity to take a bicycle tour around the city. While on the tour we saw many Nazi-era buildings which were designed solely to be ominous and convey fear to the people. All the buildings had the same design fundamentals: large scale, relatively in-ornate, and intimidating. Below is picture of the Ministry of Aviation in Nazi Berlin, which still stands but has been converted to the Office of Finance and Taxes.


Berlin has now become the complete opposite. Architecture in Berlin is being used as a form of non-verbal communication and is seen with a sense of pride and design elements are used to convey the complete opposite of that under Hitler and under communism.

Below is a collection of photos that shows the sense of German design which is now used to convey messages of freedom, liberty, and equality amongst countrymen.