Physical aspects of the Reichstag
Interior arrangements
- Primarily the building is split into two seperate zones, the private interor of the building for the parlimentary chamber, and the public zones, the cupola and the roof area with a merge for both in the foyer.
- Foster primarily tried to create a private/public merge in the foyer, on visit however appeared to lack neccessary planning detail.
- On entry the route is cramped around the front throughway to make room for the massive internal government facity.
- The ques and congestion emphasise this point.
- Through securtiy, you must wait for lifts to take you up to the roof level, where there is the rounded glazed cupola with double access ramps wrapping around either side.
- From this area you can watch the political deliberation taking place or look out at spectacular views of the city.
Facade and connection with adjacent buildings
- Set in its own space looking out onto the Tiergarten.
- An element of grandeur in its position overlooking the large park.
- Facade is large, however when using it to enter the building feels extremely chlostrophobic due to the narrow passageways leading through to the security area.
The Reichstag within the urban fabric
- In 1886 Wilhelm I had great ideas of grandeur and wanted the most well known architects to create new buildings around the Reichstag, creating a super zone of the most grand, and well executed buildings. However Germany's budget at the time could not stretch to these ideas.
- After the re-unification the government wanted to avoid uniformity of the buildings surrounding the Reichstag and so commissioned different aechitects to design buildings surrounding the immediate area.