Kirche Am Hohenzollernplatz - The Design of The Church

The Design of The Church

The modern design was much under debate already long before the constructions started. The basic structure of the church is a concrete skeleton, clad by the façades, finely structured on the long sides and of even masonry on the narrow sides, all in clinker brick. Höger preferred that material. The hip roof of verdigris copper contrasts with the dark reddish brick. The slim and high tower, being a landmark seen through much of Hohenzollerndamm thoroughfare and other streets, is connected to the northeastern corner of the actual building.

The actual prayer hall is elevated, because the ground floor harbours a fellowship hall. The entrance at the western side is flanked both sides by the cladding of the two round stair cases. A semicircular flight of stairs leads to the ogival main portal, which announces the dominant forms of the interior. The complete appearance is a good eye-catching flank to the eastern side of the square of Hohenzollernplatz.

The interior of the huge nave is structured by 13 girders of ferroconcrete, which end as pilasters on the ground. Starting from the entrance in the west the girders give the impression to taper towards the east. The ogival form of the girders grants the interior a kind of Gothic, very modern though, appeal. This form evoked certain mysticism, which is unusual for the rather sober Protestant church architecture of those years. This and the modern as well as voluminous appearance earned the church the nickname Powerhouse of God (German: Kraftwerk Gottes).

The Allied bombing of Berlin in World War II inflicted severe damage on the church. On 22 November 1943 the church burnt out. The reconstruction proceeded gradually until 1965. Services were then held in the fellowship hall below the actual prayer hall. The architect Gerhard Schlotter submitted the church to a renovation and rebuild in 1990/1991, in order also to prepare it for its usage for exhibitions of contemporary art. Schlotter brightened up the prayer hall in the colours used before the destruction.