Sheet Lightning Cafeteria in Berlin, Germany by Die Baupiloten

The Baupiloten have constructed a new cafeteria within the framework of a new master plan for the remodeling of the TU Berlin's main building. The cafeteria connects two courtyards located within the listed 19th century building and provides them with a new function. The cafeteria's distinctive luminous ceiling is already visible from the university's foyer and through the windows of the inner courtyards.

For the construction of the cafeteria, the building between the two courtyards had to be completely gutted and the circulation reorganized. Kitchens for food preparation and dish washing were relocated to adjoining rooms so that the central space can be used solely as a dining hall where the food is served. The food counter is directly connected with the kitchen areas and divides the dining room diagonally.

The permanent seating area runs along both sides of the diagonal separation in the form of folded, ivory-colored strips of various width, and continues into the courtyards. Here the seating area has been designed to run through both the sunny parts of an otherwise shadowy courtyard, as well as under the trees.

Free standing tables and chairs complement the seating area and are constructed out of the same material as the counters. Stainless steel fixtures such as cabinets and cooling troughs have been integratively designed into the cafeteria landscape.

Architects: Die Baupiloten
Client: TU Berlin
Main Materials: fabric, light, terrazzo, medium density fibreboard, ethernit
Project year: 2008
Photographs: Jan Bitter