Our first destination was the Berlin Aquadom, which, it turns out, costs 17EUR to see, despite not seeing that online anywhere. So we decided to move on, to the DAZ (Deutsches Architektur Zentrum, or German Architecture Center). http://www.daz.de/daz/home/de/ Not knowing what to expect we made our way there, deeper into the former East. It turned out to be not much, just a few white spaces with some exhibitions happening. We walked through them but did not stay long. But the journey did yield this wonderment; a mascot at a stand advertising "real" American hot dogs. I may never eat another one.
Finally, we went on to the Velodrom and Swimhalle complex, designed by Dominic Perrault, built in anticipation of Berlin getting the 2000 Olympic games (they didn't). The complex is a large 2-story plinth with a rooftop park, into which are incised two primary forms: a cylindrical disk for the Velodrom and a square form for the pools. This strategy transforms what is usually a large urban presence into an almost hidden condition from the street.
We went inside the Velodrom, to experience the dynamic radially-trussed roof for ourselves.
Then we returned to the apartments, and greeted Dr. Etheridge, who was not with us for the first few days. Now the history component of the trip can kick in. Tomorrow morning we start again with the full group of students. Stay tuned.
--D. Caldwell
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