LAVA was commissioned to design the new interior spaces for an old cabaret theatre dating from the 1920s. The abandoned cabaret theatre was accidentally uncovered in the heart of Berlin.
Built in 1905, the three level musical hall and restaurant had been buried in 30 tons of rubble since 1934 when it closed.
The abandoned three-storey building was found behind a courtyard in the former communist east of the city. It had a grand ballroom, a 300 square metre theatre, wall paintings and metres-high stuccoed ceilings and was designed by famous Berliner businessman and architect Oscar Garbe.
LAVA's concept comprised spaces for small-scale performances and exhibitions, studios, meetings and conferences, luxury apartments for short term and executive rental and a new penthouse on top of the building.
Historic preservation, fire protection and modern comfort levels were considerations. State-of-the-art technology created a very special user experience combining a feeling for the original use with modern day Berlin.
