Funkhaus Berlin (1951–1956)

Center for Music and Art – Radio became an important tool in the Cold War contest between political systems. With its modern, functional design by Bauhaus architect Franz Ehrlich, this center for East German radio powerfully conveys the optimism of the postwar years. A “radio quarter” emerged here over the next several decades, with workshops, stores, and recreational facilities for several thousand employees. The recording studios are prized for their excellent acoustics and the distinctive “Nalepa sound.” Musicians from all over the world also still enjoy the facility’s 1950s architecture and proximity to the water.