-
FADE TO GREY -
Grey.
It makes no statement whatever; it evokes neither feelings nor
associations: it is really neither visible nor invisible. Its
inconspicuousness gives it the capacity to mediate, to make visible,
in a positively illusionistic way, like a photograph. It has the
capacity that no other colour has, to make 'nothing' visible.
Gerhard
Richter interviewed by Hans Ulrich Obrist, 1996
Since
its inauguration in 1902 the main building of the former Imperial
Berlin Academy of Arts has been modified continuously. Especially the
Faculty of Architecture has been witnessing numerous additions,
alterations, modifications and built-in elements by the most
outstanding protagonists of German post-war architecture, due to the
fact that it was located in the top floor of the building and has
been destroyed heavily during the war.
The
common functions such as the central lecture hall, the offices of the
dean, common conference and seminary rooms and the central cafe which
also serves all other faculties of the building are all situated
along the central axis of the building- the heart of the faculty of
architecture.
The
conceptual approach of LUDESCHERVONSPRECKELSEN during renovation was
to achieve maximum gain of common space by a minimum of architectural
means. Therefore the Central Area 'Mittelachse' was cleaned from all
kinds of redundant structures. in order to achieve one continuous
spacious, contemporary space that accommodates for all kinds of
occasions in the course of daily and annual academic cycles: such as
the well-known UdK 'Monday Lectures Series ',or daily seminary work,
exhibitions, presentations, student parties and book
presentations.

For
these occasions, the eleven meters long Corian-counter hosts all
necessary functional elements within its monolytic shape. It serves
as backbone of the Café and common gathering area of the whole Art
School.
Besides
the counter programmatic and functional needs were encountered by
introducing some very distinct wall and ceiling paneling. Each of the
elegant surfaces serves unique purposes of sound absorption, sound
reflection, hosting infrastructure and storage, or serving as black
board or white board, while being clearly distinguished from the
existing by shape or joining.

Spacial
cohesion of the central collective Area was underlined by the
strategy of an of an monochrome color concept based on RAL 7035,
Light Grey.
All
architectural elements - from the newly installed surfaces to all
existing walls and ceilings – are unified to one continuous space.
As
stated by German Artist Gerhardt Richter the color Grey helps
blurring all differences and boundaries. The space is pushed to the
background serving as a backdrop for the appropriation of space by
its users.
Distinct
elements, such as signage , the seating and a view protection screen
on the full height glazing between the café and the kitchen are

colored
in Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. The calibration of colored dots
on the screen and the seats are another playful variation of RAL 7035
,Light Grey.

One
man on a lonely platformOne
case sitting by his sideTwo
eyes staring cold and silentShows
fear as he turns to hideAh,
we fade to gray, fade to grayAh,
we fade to gray, fade to gray
Midge
Ure, 1979