Berlin's ICC conference centre to be revived by nine architecture studios

A group of nine architecture and engineering firms is working on redeveloping Berlin's Internationales Congress Centrum (ICC), which was first opened in 1979 by Ralf Schüler and Ursulina Schüler-Witte. The ICC has been closed since 2014 because it was costly to operate and inefficient. In 2019, it was recognized as a historical monument. Following a campaign in 2022 by architects and PR experts to revive its cultural significance, an idea competition is set for autumn 2024. The redesign, involving firms like Graft and Max Dudler, aims to add bike paths, green areas, and two high-rises. The interior will be adaptable for various events, with late-night access planned. Björn Werner noted the potential for transformation, while Thomas Willemeit emphasized its historic context. The project is expected to take two and a half years.