The first BAUHAUS store opened in Germany, 1960, the retail chain now spans the scope of European territory with 190 stores. BAUHAUS, which is German for to build (bau) and house (haus), is a home improvement, gardening and hardware chain that recently completed their latest showroom that sits on the western beginning of Berlin’s most famous avenue, Kurfurstendamm, or Ku-damm by locals. While the Ku-damm is full of shops, hotels, restaurants and retail showrooms the BAUHAUS attracts attention with its three-dimensional Alucobond aluminum composite façade.

Müller Reimann Architekten designed an unmistakable building whose asymmetrical Alucobond Plus exterior reflects light creating a unique and varied appearance by light and time of day. Surrounded by substantial noise from the neighboring highway and train tracks, the composition of the façade has acoustic properties that refract sound as they do light. Most compelling, the façade emerges at night when the interior is illuminated the high glass windows allow a compelling view for passersby. The iconic red BAUHAUS logo is distinct against the Brilliant Silver Metallic aluminum composite material (ACM).

The architects, with the help of fabricators from Henke AG, were able to transform a flat panel material into a three-dimensional masterpiece. Click here to watch the building’s compelling transformation.

information courtesy of Alucobond International
Photography courtesy of Stefan Müller courtesy of Müller Reimann Architekten