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Marketing

Sony Center (Berlin, Germany).

Shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Sony began planning a large development at Potsdamer Platz, in the historical center of Berlin, Germany. In recognition of a shifting geography within Europe, Sony decided to establish its European headquarters at this location. In 1994, Tishman Speyer was selected by Sony from several international groups to be its developer and partner on this landmark project. Based on its global reputation and track record in Germany, Tishman Speyer was asked by Sony to undertake a re-evaluation of the project from the ground up, its concept, design, and cost. Designed by architect Helmut Jahn, the Sony Center is an elegant and modern vision of glass, stainless steel, and natural stone. Tishman Speyer analyzed the Sony plan and reconfigured the buildings as well as their uses to create a variety of space types that would be appropriate for the evolving Berlin market. The result is a program
that includes eight different buildings with separate identities and varied sizes which house a mix of cinema, retail, dining, office, residential and cultural uses. In the center is a dramatic roofed space, the "Forum," which serves as a public space and entertainment complex. In addition, Tishman Speyer was responsible for coordinating the project's tie-ins to area infrastructure projects, which include two tunnels constructed for rail, subway and automobile traffic. The residential component at Sony Center is comprised of 60 rental units and 134 Condominium apartments. The rental units range from 409 square feet to 1,610 square feet and include Poggenpohl kitchens, below floor heating and dramatic views of the Sony Forum and the City. The 134 condominium units are constructed above the former historic Esplanade Hotel, which was restored as part of the overall development. Several of the hotel’s landmarked rooms were integrated in the complex and its entry was redesigned to create an exciting lobby to serve the apartments. Built to the highest standards of luxury and design, the units range from 665 square feet to 2,520 square feet. The complex incorporates a fully integrated living environment based on modern technologies and advancements in sustainable design. One of its most innovative and unique features is the Forum. This area’s environment is maintained through the majority of the year, solely on its embodiment with the surrounding buildings. This makes a usable space without the consumption of additional energy that an enclosed building would have required. Rain water is collected within the Forum and held in tanks below the largest office tower and used for toilet flushing. Additionally, the buildings share mechanical systems and incorporate a highly efficient facade allowing for the right sizing of equipment and lower first costs along with reduced energy consumption and operating costs. At construction completion the project achieved the highest rents in Berlin and was fully leased. The Sony Center is now a landmark destination visited by locals and tourists alike. The Urban Land Institute’s Awards program, which recognizes excellence in the full development process of a project, selected Sony Center to receive
the organization’s 2000 International Award for Large Scale Mixed Use. The Sony Center was selected for this award out of 27 worldwide finalists, once again highlighting Tishman Speyer’s innovative use of space and design.

A series of bas-relief sculpture panels created by sculptor Ray Kaskey is set into the balustrades of the north and south ceremonial entrance walls. The bas-reliefs consist of 24 separate panels. The 12 on the north depict the Atlantic front; the 12 on the south depict the Pacific front.

The unifying theme of the panels is the transformation of America caused by the country’s total immersion in World War II. The panels depict the all-out mobilization of America’s agricultural, industrial, military, and human resources that transformed the country into the arsenal of democracy as well as the breadbasket of the world.

The visual inspiration for these panels is the bas-relief sculptures that encircle the Pension Building in Washington, D.C., which were influenced by the bas-reliefs on the Parthenon. What these bas-reliefs have in common is that all are isocephalic, a Greek word meaning that the heads of the principal figures line up horizontally. The human scale is the visual unifying element common to all 24 panels; all details, scenes, equipment, etc. are subordinated to the scale of the figure. The unity of purpose unique to this time in America is best evoked by placing the visual emphasis on the individual in this time-honored manner. Most of the panels are based on historical photos.