IBA-Bauten at Tegeler Hafen

During the International Building Exhibition from 1984 to 1988, a cluster of striking buildings appeared around Berlin’s old Tegeler Hafen. The area became a showcase for bold ideas in urban design, bringing together different architectural styles and well-known names.

Architectural highlights along the water

The standout structure is the Phosphateliminierungsanlage by Austrian architect Gustav Peichl. Designed for water treatment, it is a rare example of infrastructure shaped with a playful, expressive character. Clear lines, sculptural forms, and careful detailing give the building an unexpected visual presence, turning a technical facility into a landmark on the waterfront.

Nearby, several buildings by American architect Charles Moore add color and variation to the ensemble. Moore’s contributions reflect his interest in postmodern composition: lively façades, layered references to historical forms, and a sense of rhythm along the harbor promenade. Together, these works create a dialogue between function and ornament, utility and imagination.

A small district shaped by IBA ideas

The IBA-era design around Tegeler Hafen blends public space, housing, and infrastructure in a compact setting. Pathways and plazas link the buildings to the water’s edge, encouraging movement between courtyards, quays, and bridges. The result is a waterfront that reads like an open-air gallery of late 20th-century architecture, where each project contributes a distinct voice to the overall scene.