Design Getaways: Berlin, Germany
Author:Lindsey ShookAs a renowned mecca for creative types, Germany’s capital city is an interactive exhibition of cutting-edge arts and design.
Getting There
Berlin currently has two major airports, but in June, both will close when the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) opens. Fly direct to the German capital from SFO or LAX on United, American or Lufthansa airlines for about $1,200.
The Itinerary
1. STAY
Art, music and design enthusiasts rejoice: The freshly minted nhow Berlin has opened its doors on the banks of the Spree River. The 304-room hotel has a rotating art gallery, two recording studios and a Gibson guitar offered on its room service menu. Request a room on one of the hotel’s three cantilevered floors, and you’ll feel as if you’re floating above the river below; nhow-hotels.com/berlin/en.
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2. TOUR
Bunker Berlin, a Nazi prison turned tropical fruit warehouse turned techno club, is now home to the contemporary art collection of Christian and Karen Boros. Exhibiting artists are responsible for installing their own work, which occasionally requires some pieces to be altered to fit the bunker’s unusual dimensions; sammlung-boros.de.
Janne Suhonen
3. EXPLORE
DMY, an international design fair renowned for its product innovation, is held once a year in Berlin. This year’s event will take place June 6 through 10, and will include prototype demos and workshops galore. Get your hands dirty and learn how to grow medicinal mushrooms at the MakerLab, or put on goggles and try out the newest laser cutter on the market; dmy-berlin.com.
Courtesy of Sauvage
4. EAT
Drag out your inner caveman at Sauvage—Europe’s first Paleolithic restaurant. Formerly a brothel, this eatery serves food that copies the dietary habits of early humans. You won’t find grains, dairy or sugar here, but you will find tons of flavor. Start with a zucchini and mushroom moussaka, follow with a spicy salmon curry and top it all off with a decadent vanilla and apple cake; sauvageberlin.com.
Courtesy of Idnworld.com
5. SEE
Is it vandalism or is it art? Keep an eye out for utility boxes and concrete planters painted to look like low-income housing blocks and decide for yourself. Local artist Evol creates these realistic cityscapes with the aid of stencils and spray paint. The results are so lifelike that you may want to peek inside a window to see if anyone is home; evoltaste.com.
–Stacey Allen
