Imagine a giant flower. Its petals are formed by hexagonal basins. This is the Kugelbrunnen. The Kugelbrunnen is more than just a fountain. It is a testament to East German design. It sits in front of the Freizeit- und Erholungszentrum Berlin. This translates to the Berlin Leisure and Recreation Center. The Kugelbrunnen was created in 1979.
Let’s delve into the Kugelbrunnen’s origins. The Kugelbrunnen was planned for the German Democratic Republic’s 30th anniversary. It coincided with the construction of the Ernst Thälmann Pioneer Palace. This building is now the FEZ’s main building. Günter Stahn was the architect behind the Kugelbrunnen. Hans-Joachim Kunsch’s firm, Kunsch Metallbau, built it. Ortraud Lerch, a Berlin artist, created the mosaics.
The Kugelbrunnen has a unique design. The fountain basin comprises six hexagonal sections. They form a circular shape like an abstract flower. A hexagonal platform rises in the center. Six prisms with rounded edges sit on this platform. They increase in height toward the center. The fountain’s centerpiece is the “Brunnenblume”. It is mounted on a cylinder and a stainless-steel frame. Water flows from several fountains into a bowl. A sphere rests on top of a narrow cylinder. Both the bowl and sphere are covered in scale-like stainless-steel plates.
The Kugelbrunnen is made of several materials. Granite stone forms the structure. Concrete creates the basins. Ceramic mosaic stones decorate it. Stainless steel adds a modern touch.
Sadly, the Kugelbrunnen stopped working in 2013. Technical issues caused its shutdown. The concrete basin was damaged. However, there is good news. The Kugelbrunnen underwent a two-phase restoration. It aimed to reopen the fountain for its 40th anniversary. The first phase was scheduled to finish in September 2018. This would make the fountain operational again.
The Kugelbrunnen stands as a reminder of a bygone era. It combines art and functionality. The Kugelbrunnen reflects East German design sensibilities. Hopefully, the Kugelbrunnen will be working again soon for all to admire. It is a beautiful and unique water feature.