Palace of Culture Dresden

The Kulturpalast Dresden was originally built during the East German era and served as a venue for classical concerts and parliamentary assemblies. After four years of extensive modernization, the Kulturpalast is now a diverse complex integrating culture, education, and entertainment. The existing portions of the building, which are listed as historic monuments, have been renovated, and a new concert hall has been constructed, breathing new life into this grand structure. The new concert hall seats approximately 1,800 and will be used by the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. The project was designed by von Gerkan, Marg and Partners, known as gmp, who won the competition in 2009. The redesign and restoration of the Kulturpalast raises the question of how the concept of a cultural palace can be rethought architecturally, and how new functional requirements can be addressed within a highly recognizable existing building. As an outstanding example of East German modernism built in 1969, the building has been faithfully reconstructed on the exterior while creating entirely new spatial organization and circulation inside. Its unparalleled central location between the Old Market, the Royal Palace district, and the New Market is addressed through a building with no fixed orientation and entrances on three sides. To achieve a comprehensive revival of an old building for diverse user groups, the cultural, educational, and entertainment functions are continuously interwoven within the complex and converge in the south hall facing the Old Market, which serves as the common entrance for all three functions and becomes a vibrant gathering place.