Bollinger + Fehlig Architekten GmbH BDA

Bringing a Monument back to Life

In October 2008, flight operations at Tempelhof Airport were suspended. Since then, the historic, expansive airport buildings have been used for various events and trade fairs. But to turn the more than 80,000 square meters of hangar into a coherent meeting place was an enormous challenge. BFA was commissioned with a comprehensive conversion concept. Since the entire complex is under protection of historical monuments (Denkmalschütz), the changes are logistically complex, yet must be aesthetically discreet. The focus of the project is memorializing the historical monument yet connecting it to the public and our present day society. There will be accessibility to the city, and the airfield itself will be directly reachable by opening former truck passages. Little by little, the largest architectural monument in Europe will be gently kissed awake, one tiny change at a time.