Fancy a story of minimalist elegance turned unlikely refuge? You are standing before Haus Lemke. This seemingly simple house has a rich history. It is a testament to architectural vision and resilience.
Haus Lemke is also known as Landhaus Lemke or Mies van der Rohe Haus. The house stands on Oberseestraße. It is the last house designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in Germany. He designed it before he emigrated to the United States in 1938.
In 1932, Martha and Karl Lemke sought a home. They desired a modern living space with access to the Obersee. They commissioned Mies van der Rohe to bring their vision to life. Construction began in the summer of 1932. The cost was 16,000 Reichsmarks. Today, that is about 61,000 euros. The Lemkes moved into Haus Lemke in the spring of 1933.
The L-shaped design is modest. The building met the needs of the childless couple. The facade features red-colored, charcoal-fired bricks. These bricks support the flat roof. The furnishings came from Mies van der Rohe’s studio. Some were designed by his partner Lilly Reich.
The Lemkes lived in Haus Lemke for only a few years. In May 1945, the Red Army occupied Alt-Hohenschönhausen. The family was forced to leave their home. The area became restricted. Haus Lemke was used as a garage and storage area.
Later, the Stasi moved in. They also occupied surrounding villas. The authority acquired Haus Lemke in 1962. They made significant changes to the house and garden. In 1977, the magistrate of Berlin put Haus Lemke on the district monument list.
By the 1980s, Haus Lemke had visibly decayed. The first renovation work began. However, progress was limited due to insufficient funds. Until 1990, it served as a laundry and canteen for Stasi employees. The garden was partially concreted. It was then used as a car park.
In 1990, the district took over the property. It officially renamed it Mies van der Rohe Haus. From 2000 to 2002, necessary renovations took place. Since 1994, a sculpture by Ruth Baumann has stood in the garden. Its title is “Aufsicht um die Kante.”
Today, Haus Lemke serves as an exhibition pavilion for modern art. It attracts lovers of Mies van der Rohe’s architecture. The building embodies a fusion of architecture, nature, and art. It inspires artists to integrate it into their exhibitions. Art animates the architecture. It resonates with it. It brings new aspects of it to the fore.
Haus Lemke is not only a space for art. It is also a place for learning and contemplation. It is a reminder of architectural innovation. It also stands as a testament to a tumultuous past. The house preserves a unique space where history and art converge.