Biorama Project, Observation tower in Joachimsthal, Germany.
The Biorama Project is a converted water tower with a 21-meter-high observation platform built from brick and concrete in the Schorfheide-Chorin region. The platform offers 360-degree views across the surrounding landscape and forests of the biosphere.
The water tower stood empty from 1987 until 2003, when designer Richard Hurding and project manager Sarah Phillips bought it. With architect Frank Meilchen they converted it into a vertical home called Biorama, using 240,000 euros of EU funding and about 250,000 euros of their own money. It opened to visitors on 3 June 2006.
The name Biorama combines Biosphärenreservat and Panorama, referring to the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve. At the tower's foot, changing exhibitions have been held, such as the 2009 Kartoffel-Kunst show on potato biodiversity. The owners also converted the neighbouring Villa Protz into a cultural house in 2014/2015, with up to four art exhibitions a year and small theatre performances.
Reaching the platform requires climbing stairs, so visitors should expect a moderate physical effort. Clear weather days are best for visiting, as rain can significantly reduce visibility.
The tower stands directly on the Berlin–Usedom cycle route, and the Kaiserbahnhof imperial station lies only 100 metres away. A stall and an exhibition hall sit at its foot. The 50,000th visitor was welcomed on 12 August 2009, and by March 2016 the site had counted 125,000 visitors.
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