Architectural Competition

The city of Berlin had developed a general land-use plan for Potsdamer Platz, which was also legally binding for the architecture of the Sony Center. The chosen concept was refined and integrated into the overall concept of the city planning of the development. Extensive specifications included among others that the Potsdamer Platz should be re-built at its original place.

It was a tremendous challenge to fulfill the request by the city of Berlin to integrate the existing parts of the Hotel Esplanade.

The explicit demand of mixed use was decisive for the architecture. Besides offices, gastronomy and other commercial uses, public and living space had to be created. Architect Helmut Jahn together with his Murphy & Jahn Architects Office won the architectural competition to design Sony Center.