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Amerika Haus, Germany
There’s a curious soft-power hangover from the war days — and the Cold War — that can still be found in Berlin. The Amerika Haus — built in 1956-57 — is a light, simple mid-century structure. It was designed Bruno Grimmek from the United States Information Agency on the occasion of the International Building Exhibition.
It was an institution developed following the end of the war to provide an opportunity for German and Austrian citizens to learn more about US culture and politics, and engage in discussion and debate on the transatlantic relationship.
Such cultural-exchange houses were dotted throughout post-war Germany and Austria. Few survive.
For decades, Berlin residents would visit the library and attend film screenings. Robert Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Willy Brandt visited. Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Lloyd Wright and Lyonel Feininger exhibited their works here. This building has reflected the changeful transatlantic relationships between the USA and the Federal Republic of Germany since the end of World War II.
Run by the American government until 2006, it was then transferred to the German state and after many years of neglect has more recently become a modern exhibition centre which pays homage to its colourful past.
If you understand German you can watch a little film here.
