DG Bank, Pariser Platz
A whale swimming in front of the Brandenburger Tor

Seen from the Roof Terrace of the Bundestag
Photo by Aoki Tsukasa
An awe-inspiring location
The DG Bank is situated at the best location between the U.S. Embassy (now under construction) and the Arts Academy, looking out on the Pariser Platz near the Brandenburger Tor, or the Brandenburg Gate. Before the unification of the former East and West Germany, this area was a vacant lot. However, rigorous architectural restrictions decreed in the City Development Master Plan also apply to the lot. The height of all the structures on Pariser Platz and all the buildings on Unter den Linden Street must be of the same height, and have to be lower than the height of the Brandenburger Tor, with all the buildings having facades which give off a unified impression.


Looking at the DG Bank from the Pariser Platz
Photo by J.Carp.
 Consistency between tradition and the avant-garde
It must be astonishing to note that the architect selected to build the DG Bank was F. O. Gehry. He, however, was successful in meeting both the harsh demands of the city plan and his figurative, artistic achievements. Looking at the DG Bank from the Pariser Platz, one finds a non-clattered, classical atmosphere composed of minimal elements. Nevertheless, one can still find the architect's originality: the bouncing glass windows are slated at the 1st through 4th floors in order not to expose the sashes. The bright color of the building blocks also adds individualistic color to the building.
The inside is more characteristic. The top light of the Atrium in the center of the building is made in the shape of a cross section of an arch. The design of the roof, when seen from the Roof Terrace of the Bundestag, is said to resemble a whale, thus the nickname of the structure: "a whale thrusting its head into a fishing net". Deep in the front, can you see an organic object, which is said to be an assembly hall. A glass ceiling, which is called "glass floor", creates a smooth curve, covering the underground section. At the other side of Pariser Platz, there is a 10-story residential building whose facade has a more liberal design.
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