Historic Facade of Benjamin Franklin Hospital Steglitz Vanishes: Future Restoration Uncertain
The Screen facade of the Benjamin Franklin Campus, a post-war modernist building in Berlin, is currently undergoing a meticulous dismantling process. This architectural preservation project is aimed at thoughtfully restoring and reconstructing the facade, which has deteriorated over the years and requires detailed restoration.
The distinctive facade, made up of around 56,000 delicate concrete elements, was designed in the 1960s by Curtis & Davis and Berlin architect Franz Mocken. Known as the "Screen," the building was considered one of the most modern healthcare facilities in Europe at the time. In 2012, it was placed under heritage protection due to its architectural peculiarity.
The dismantling of the Screen, which is being carried out in stages this week, has been coordinated with the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district office. The clinic operator, Charité, has been obligated to document and catalog each individual facade element before demolition. The poor condition of the facade had been known for years, and a static report from the beginning of this year gave the aging Screen a poor verdict, citing severe aging damage and an acute danger from falling components.
The dismantling was necessary for safety reasons to maintain the hospital's operations smoothly. However, the question arises of how to handle protected historic buildings responsibly, especially when it comes to the often controversial architecture of the post-war period. The state heritage authority has approved the dismantling of the Screen, on the condition that so-called reference pieces are preserved.
The clinic management has announced that it wants to restore the historic design of the facade in the long term. The goal is to restore the facade to its original design and condition, preserving its architectural authenticity, while incorporating modern conservation methods that ensure structural stability and longevity. In some cases, improvements in insulation or integration with contemporary building standards may also be made while maintaining the original appearance.
The long-term restoration of the Screen leaves much room for interpretation, but it is expected to involve detailed documentation, material analysis, and expert craftsmanship during the rebuilding phase to maintain the building’s heritage value. No direct references to this project were found in the recent search results provided, suggesting there may be limited publicly available information as of now or that coverage is contained in sources outside the current dataset.
The demolition of the Screen is more than the demolition of an outdated facade element - historical building substance is irretrievably lost in the process. However, these preservation efforts are crucial for maintaining the monument's appearance and integrity for future generations, and are a testament to Berlin's commitment to its architectural landscape.
- In the long term, the clinic management aims to restore the Screen's facade to its original design, incorporating modern conservation methods that preserve the architectural authenticity, while also implementing improvements in insulation and integration with contemporary building standards.
- The poor condition of the Screen's facade, which has been documented and catalogued by Charité before demolition, is a result of severe aging damage and acute danger from falling components, a verdict given by a static report from the beginning of this year.
