Ku' Damm 101

Berlin

The capital of reunified Germany is a city with a troubled past, which although retaining the memory of its often-dark history, is squarely zeroed in on the future and all things contemporary. Architectural projects as ambitious as innovative are numerous as Berlin continues to alter its former image as a way of healing its wounds. At the site of the former and infamous Berlin wall, modern, avant-garde structures are replacing what was once a no man’s land. Symbolic of this desire to look forward, the Parliament quarter and Potsdamer Platz reflect the incredible creative activity of the city. “Berlin is a poor but sexy city,” its mayor, Klaus Wowereit proclaimed. Although Berlin continues to transform itself, it has retained the traces of past history when the empire of William II reigned over the entire Germanic world. The Charlottenbourg quarter, once the home of the 19^th century bourgeoisie, is a very popular neighborhood today thanks to its numerous cafes, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, art galleries and luxury boutiques along the legendary Kurfürstendamm boulevard.

Design, comfort and unlimited connection

In the Charlottenbourg quarter, the Kurfurstendamm or Ku’Damm as Berliners affectionately call it, is the longest, the liveliest and most commercial street in the capital, and the Ku’Damm hotel naturally attracts business travellers in search of state of the art technology as well as numerous other tourists. This modern masterpiece pays tribute to the work of one of the fathers of modern design, the Swiss architect, urban specialist and painter, Le Corbusier. The result is a luxury hotel that is minimalist to the point of being Spartan and bare in design. “Space, light, order are what man needs to live, as much as food or a bed,” declared Le Corbusier. Following the precepts of the master, the Swiss design-consulting firm of Kessler and Kessler created multi-purpose modular rooms that could be changed according to the desires and fantasies of their occupants. The color and omnipresent central theme of the hotel is expressed in a combination of pallets inspired by the reflections of the Swiss architect, using the effects of the color on the perception of the shapes.

The design furniture is not superfluous to the rest of the hotel. They include Globe armchairs by Pierre Paulin in the most luxurious rooms. Arne Jacobsen chairs decorate the seminar rooms. Eternit by Willy Guhl adorns the gardens. (See magazine Intérieurs – mai-juin 2010.)