The project by JEMS Architekci is strategically located in the prestigious heart of the German capital, next to the renowned Unter den Linden boulevard, the Brandenburg Gate, and other important diplomatic institutions. Maintaining a distinctive three-dimensional character, the façade is composed of rhythmically arranged vertical elements that blend seamlessly into the surrounding urban landscape.
Far from adopting the expressiveness of the dominant skyscrapers or resorting to the usual technologically advanced glass façades, the building presents itself as a quiet yet eloquent piece in Berlin's complex historical narrative. Through the balance of proportion and rhythm in the arrangement of its columns, the design assumes, with sobriety and responsibility, the representation of the Polish diplomatic corps.
Polish Embassy in Berlin by JEMS Architekci. Photograph by Maria Kot.
Project description by JEMS Architekci
Large photographs on the walls of Brandenburger Tor underground subway station remind us of the history of the place. The Brandenburg Gate is connected to the most significant events of the past two centuries in German history.
Upon exiting the station onto the busy street, we can see the Gate among the line of linden trees, which closes the view of Unter den Linden boulevard, and through the clearance between its columns, we can glimpse Tiergarten and the long park avenue Straße des 17. Juni with the distant Victory Column. We are positioned along the city's most important urban axis. The Polish Embassy is located to the right.
Following German unification, Berlin became an enormous construction site, and Mitte – a district heavily damaged during World War II – underwent planned development. Following the decision to restore Berlin as the capital, numerous new government buildings and diplomatic missions were constructed at spatially significant locations throughout the city. In close proximity to the Polish embassy, one can find the American, French, UK, and Hungarian embassies.
The Berlin Architecture Guide is a comprehensive catalogue of buildings, facilities and their architects. Large urban planning projects, modernism and socialist realism tell a complex story of the city - a history of ambition, decline, separation and reunification. Berlin is diverse; however, recent architectural projects still seem to avoid ubiquitous, dominant high-rise buildings, expressive forms and technological glass facades. The rhythmic facade divisions, column lines and views of compact streets create a picture of Berlin as seen from S-Bahn railcar windows while breezing through the city.
Embassy architecture must strike a delicate balance. These buildings are distinctive elements integrated into the urban fabric. Located in prestigious areas and prominently displaying their national flags, these structures serve as highly visible symbols that are continuously observed and evaluated by the public. Their role in shaping an image is unmistakable and, in many ways, forms the very foundation of their existence.
Balancing the proportions of a building's form with its conceptual message is crucial, particularly in urban areas where the building engages in architectural dialogue with its surroundings. The architecture of the Polish embassy in Berlin seeks to achieve balance between the building's expressive character and its understated, reserved presence along the Unter den Linden frontage. Our aim was for the architectural language to embody the Polish diplomatic corps and enhance Poland's image. We envisioned a building that seamlessly integrates with Berlin's urban fabric while maintaining its own distinct character.
Distinguished by its multi-layered facade, the embassy elegantly bridges the gap between the neighbouring structures. The three-dimensional façade of Unter den Linden, adorned with rhythmically positioned vertical elements, transforms with every shift in perspective: evolving from a dense mesh to an openwork, multi-plane structure. The transparent facade reveals an inner courtyard, where flagpoles extend majestically through the entire height of the building, soaring above its rooftop. A series of recessed columns on the ground level forms elegant arcades that gracefully guide visitors into the embassy and consulate. This subtle structure, with its myriad of shades revealed under the midday sun, imbues the building's architecture with a sense of lightness and dynamism.
The facade seamlessly integrates with the building's interior. It offers a glimpse into what await within". The central theme lies in the interplay between the window structures and the courtyard walls, alongside the rhythmic alignment of joists and columns within the grand hall and ground floor rooms. The interior landscape unfolds as an exploration of diverse planes, spaces, and rooms. The arrangement of columns and beams orchestrates a captivating play of light and shadow, inviting exploration of the diverse spaces on the ground floor. Sliding walls ingeniously delineate distinct zones, seamlessly adapting the interior to accommodate a range of events - from grand press conferences to intimate cultural gatherings.
The architecture pays homage to Polish modernism - a style that, in the hands of many Polish architects, defied the sway of the so-called 'international style. Instead, it embraced tradition while preserving both individual and national characteristics. The rhythmic interplay of concrete beams and columns stands in striking contrast to the inviting warmth of wooden wall accents and rich hardwood floors. Exquisite, custom-crafted furniture epitomizes the essence of contemporary Polish design.
As night falls, the embassy transforms into a luminous spectacle. The outer facade remains shrouded in darkness, while the inner layer is brilliantly illuminated, revealing the intricate spatial tectonics of the structure. As you walk along Unter den Linden, you can observe the striking interplay of light and architecture, both during the day and at night. The facade captivates the eye, leaving no room for indifference. Passersby, captivated by curiosity, steal glances into the yard where the Polish and European Union flags gracefully flutter in the breeze.
