The World’s 11 Best Department Stores 2017
#4 Kaufhaus des Westens
Tauentzienstraße , Berlin, Germany
Kaufhaus des Westens, commonly referred to as KaDeWe, is the second biggest department store in Europe.
The beautiful building was originally built by Emil Schaudt in 1907, however, its most recent renovation plans by OMA architects are what caught our attention.
It’s colossal size: “makes it akin to a city: a three-dimensional network of paths, squares, neighbourhoods, activities, and views unfolding through its large extensions and providing opportunities for commercial social and cultural encounters.” OMA writes on its website.
Copyright OMA
The firm began work in 2015 and currently, it is ongoing. OMA plans to renovate the store through treating it as four separate entities, each one with different architectural and commercial qualities.
Each space is designed to offer a distinct experience and will have its own identity including separate entrances.
Copyright OMA
OMA chose to break up the monolithic store in response to the modern day consumer’s mind set when it comes to shopping.
“The new components fragment the original mass into smaller, easily accessible and navigable components – similar to distinct urban sectors embedded into a unified city fabric," OMA said.
Copyright OMA
The renovation will also include structural staircases and a new glass rooftop extension which will span the length of two of the quadrants, creating a new ninth floor and altering the profile of the building ever so slightly.
Copyright OMA
