An existing seven-storey building in central Berlin was converted to accommodate the headquarters of the British Council in Germany. Apart from the central administration, this branch of the British Council offers a mediatheque, an Information Centre and an English Language School. While the upper floors have been fitted out for offices, the lower public floors offer the visitor a generous architectural promenade that elevates everyday situations into special moments through differentiated and stimulating spaces. The ground floor acts as a large stage to be viewed from the street, from where one can see the activities of the central reception desk and a series of Internet stations for visitors. A quiet reading area is situated to the rear. A generous curved stairway guides the visitor up to the first floor. Lined with sinuous shelving, it is here that the various activities of the Information Centre take place.

In contrast to the lightness and openness of the floor below, here the enclosing materials and colours were deliberately kept to dark tones – recalling the atmosphere of an English club. The ceiling painting by Michael Craig-Martin presents a lively contrast and supports the intention of the design to enclose the space, while at the same time dissolving its boundaries. A smaller staircase tucked behind the shelving leads up to the lobby of the Teaching Centre, where an undulating wall guides the way into the various classrooms.