Haus des Rundfunks, Broadcasting center in Westend, Berlin, Germany
Haus des Rundfunks is a broadcasting center and architectural monument in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Berlin, recognizable by its black clinker bricks and reddish-brown ceramic tiles. Three central studios lie at its core, surrounded by office wings that provide acoustic shielding.
The center opened in 1931 as the headquarters for Reichs-Rundfunk-Gesellschaft, launching a new era in German broadcasting. From 1935 onward it served as the base for Fernsehsender Paul Nipkow, which operated the country's first regular television service.
The main broadcasting hall hosts regular concerts by the Deutsche Symphonie-Orchester and Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester, welcoming up to 900 listeners at a time. These performances connect classical music with the technical tradition of the space and turn it into a living venue for public events.
The studios retain their appearance from the 1950s while incorporating modern equipment for current productions. The entire structure rests on its own foundation, isolating it from external vibrations and ensuring high-quality recordings.
The building set new standards in broadcasting architecture with specially developed acoustic solutions, including chairs designed to absorb sound identically whether occupied or empty. This innovation ensures that recordings and broadcasts maintain consistent sound quality regardless of audience presence.
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