Perhaps, you’ve never thought of a parking garage as a monument. Yet, here at Amende-Garage, that’s exactly what we have: a testament to automotive history. This isn’t just any garage. Amende-Garage stands as a reminder of Berlin’s architectural evolution.
The story of Amende-Garage began in 1930 when the Kant-Garage opened its doors. It was designed by Hermann Zweigenthal and Richard Paulick, in collaboration with Louis Serlin. The engineering design was by Lohmüller, Korschelt & Renker. The Kant-Garage quickly became Berlin’s first multi-level parking garage. It’s considered one of the few Bauhaus industrial architecture examples.
The Kant-Garage is a six-story building. It has space for 300 cars. Two hundred of these spots were designed as boxes, with steel doors to meet fire regulations. The building’s rear features a curtain wall.
The garage’s ramp system is unique. It employs a double-helix ramp design. This was the first of its kind in Germany. Today, it’s known as Europe’s oldest garage with this ramp style. It is the second oldest in the world.
In 1991, the Kant-Garage earned recognition as a historic monument. It is an important example of inter-war automotive architecture.
Dirk Gädeke, the owner since 2017, was captivated by the Kant Garage Palace. He tasked Johanne Nalbach with planning its future. Nalbach’s team ensured the glazed curtain wall remains appreciated. They inserted a further glass layer behind it. Modern technical and energy needs were taken into account.
Though repurposed, traces of its past remain. The spiraling ramps now host changing exhibitions. These exhibitions are reminiscent of the Guggenheim ramp. Large glass doors create an impression of continuous floors.
Johanne Nalbach stated that the garages have remained virtually unchanged since 1930. Some original Heinrichs booths are still in place. These booths feature unique sliding doors built by Paul Heinrichs of Berlin. The car-wash units and glazed curtain wall remain. One of only two double-spiral ramps in Europe is present. It is ideal for holding exhibitions.
The original floor surface remains. Six heritage parking booths are installed on three floors. These have original metal roller-track doors. The original color scheme is retained inside and out. Once a place of luxury for cars with 300 spaces, each booth was lockable. They even had central heating, power sockets, and car-wash facilities. Now, it is a place to meet and live out design. Showrooms occupy the upper stories, while the top floor is for offices.
Note the FSB door handles. Architect Johanne Nalbach chose them to resonate with the Kant-Garage’s age. Its sober design complements the building’s architectural identity.