Altes Stadthaus Berlin with Elz & Rothkegel Architekten (in collaboration with Gerhard Spangenberg)
Restoration and refurbishment of the historic 30,000m2 city hall in the former east of the City as offices for the Berlin Senatsverwaltung für Inneres und Sport. Originally completed in 1911 to designs by Ludwig Hoffman the Stadthaus escaped serious damage during WWII but was much altered under the DDR. The conservation approach, consisted in the restoration of the original Hoffman fabric, circulation axes and ground level function spaces and new interventions within the original form on the upper levels. 1st, 2nd & 3rd floors were opened up and refurbished as modern offices. The original mansard roof form was reinstated and two new levels of rooflit offices were inserted into the high space.
The restored courtyards and halls at ground level including the famous Bärensaal (home of the Berlin bear statue) are open to the City as spaces available for public and private celebrations. Will was involved with conservation detailing and detail design of the offices. Refurbishment completed 2000.
