Construction work initiates on the front of Benjamin Franklin Hospital, as overseen by Heikle O.R.
The much-admired "Screen" facade at the Benjamin-Franklin Clinic in Steglitz, Germany, is currently undergoing a challenging dismantling process. This concrete grid, installed during construction in the 1960s, resembles 2,082 vertebrae and covers a total area of 10,000 square meters, surrounding examination and treatment areas.
Despite extensive online searches, there are no direct search results that detail the planned process or timeline for this restoration. Up to 2025, no publicly accessible detailed schedule or procedural description concerning the dismantling or restoration of this specific facade has been found.
However, it is known that approximately 56,100 concrete elements are being dismantled piece by piece. The Urban Development Senator of Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Patrick Steinhoff, has agreed to the temporary removal of the "Screen" to ensure the smooth continuation of hospital operations.
The monument authority has approved the dismantling of the facade, acknowledging its problematic state. The spokesperson for Charité, the managing institution of the clinic, states that the decorative concrete prefabricated parts are exhibiting strong signs of aging and cannot be renovated.
Safety concerns have been a primary focus, with warnings about the danger of falling building parts in place at the clinic for some time. Ensuring supply security is also a top priority during the dismantling process.
To maintain a sense of the original appearance of the Benjamin-Franklin Clinic, reference axes will be retained during the dismantling process. The Urban Development Senator, Patrick Steinhoff, has also assured that pragmatic solutions will be found for restoring the historical design of the facade.
The dismantling is scheduled to be completed by the end of September, with the process taking place in several phases, starting from the southern side of the main building along the Teltow Canal. The dismantling is necessary for reasons of traffic safety.
While the exact process and timeline for the restoration of the "Screen" facade remain unclear, it is clear that this historical structure is being carefully and meticulously dismantled, with a commitment to preserving its essence for future generations. For precise and updated information, consulting official announcements from the clinic, the local government of Steglitz or Berlin, or architectural conservation bodies would be necessary.
Science has played an essential role in the dismantling process of the "Screen" facade at the Benjamin-Franklin Clinic, as engineers and medical-conditions experts ensure the safety of health-and-wellness personnel and patients during the operation. To mitigate risks associated with falling building parts, the dismantling strategy prioritizes adherence to scientific principles and medical-conditions standards. For accurate and up-to-date information about the restoration progress, it is advisable to consult health-and-wellness authorities, local government bodies, or science-focused organizations.
