Emerging from the typical cityscape of Lichtenberg, Gustavo-Haus stands tall. It’s not just another apartment building. It’s a vibrant canvas of art. This 18-story double high-rise near Storkower Straße S-Bahn station boasts a unique feature. In the late 1990s, its facade was transformed by the Spanish artist, Gustavo. The building, originally constructed in the early 1980s as part of the Lichtenberg Nord housing development, received a much-needed facelift. Klaus-Dieter Heinken, head of the privatization company PRIMA, envisioned something extraordinary for Gustavo-Haus. He commissioned Gustavo, whom he knew from the artist’s time at Haus Bethanien in Kreuzberg. Gustavo, living in Mallorca, designed vibrant figures for each side of the building. These designs were then translated onto 11,000 aluminum panels by the Pankow-based company, Henke. Each panel was individually painted and fired for durability, ensuring the artwork would resist corrosion and fading. These panels were then riveted onto an aluminum frame, cleverly disguising the original building’s slightly skewed walls. The result is a stunning display of color and figures. This revitalization project, totaling 23 million Deutschmarks, included not just the artwork, but also renovations to the 296 apartments within Gustavo-Haus. The artwork was officially inaugurated on October 6, 1999, and continues to be a source of pride for residents and a striking landmark in Berlin. Inside Gustavo-Haus, smaller versions of the four facade murals can be admired. This remarkable fusion of art and architecture makes Gustavo-Haus more than a place to live. It’s a testament to the power of creative vision. It’s a beacon of color in Berlin’s urban landscape.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to