BATEK ARCHITEKTEN completes renovation of Yorck Cinema „Blauer Stern“ in Berlin

With a sensitive approach to existing spaces, which is typical of the Berlin architecture firm, BATEK ARCHITEKTEN adapted the premises of „Blauer Stern“ – a cinema venue since 1933 – to today‘s requirements of cinema operations. With a number of targeted and stringently thought out interventions, the resulting spatial concept is colorful as well as functional, and creates a striking framework for the cinematic experience.

As part of the renovations, the foyer was expanded, the two auditoriums refurbished, and the sound insulation improved.

By removing a glass partition in the foyer, the architects were able to use the space gained to create a generous entrance area with a long, curved bench and wide counter. The irregular structure of the main auditorium was unified with a row of rounded arches. Its walls are covered in colourfully-printed fabric whose pattern BATEK ARCHITEKTEN based on an artwork called “Lange Reise” (“Long Journey”) by Mechtild van Ahlers, which hangs in the foyer.

The architects’ lighting design was inspired by the historical mouldings of the foyer ceiling whose graphic lozenge pattern has been partially traced with suspended LED light tracks. The diagonal pattern of the light tracks continues along the corridor leading to the two auditoriums.