The Ernst Busch University of Theatre Arts has found a new home: in the repurposed shell of a former electric substation in central Berlin. O&O Baukunst transformed the listed industrial structure into a contemporary space for theatrical training. Completed in 2018, the project fuses old and new into a spatial narrative that reflects the very essence of dramatic art.
Address/Directions
Hochschule für Schauspielkunst Ernst Busch
Zinnowitzer Straße 11
10115 Berlin
Directions
Originally built in 1953 as a substation for Berlin’s public transport, the massive[A1] concrete structure now houses rehearsal stages, studios, workshops, classrooms, and a canteen for the prestigious acting school. The architects retained the skeleton of the original industrial shell, inserting a new timber-framed building within it. The spatial interweaving of past and present plays out through transparent passages, exposed infrastructure, and careful layering of materials.
Each of the four floors serves a distinct purpose, and is legible as such from the outside. On the uppermost level, a glass volume crowns the building—a “lantern” that serves as rehearsal space and rooftop beacon. Below, the public areas and auditorium open toward Zinnowitzer Strasse, engaging directly with the surrounding city.
Industrial Heritage as a Stage Set
The building’s robust concrete frame is visible throughout and acts as both structural support and visual backdrop. The large window openings—some of which remain unglazed—create a porous threshold between interior and exterior. Material honesty and spatial clarity are central themes. Light-colored timber contrasts with black steel elements, raw concrete, and subtle textiles, creating a dynamic yet restrained stage for performance and education.
The entrance level functions as a “social foyer,” connecting street and school through its generous spatial flow. A double-height rehearsal space anchors the composition, illuminated by daylight from above. Circulation paths are stacked in layers, recalling the vertical complexity of stage rigging.
For doors and windows, the architects selected FSB 1159—a design by O&O Baukunst themselves. Made of anodized aluminum in a medium bronze finish, the handle brings a tactile softness to the raw architectural framework. Its offset geometry and subtly tapering stem suggest movement and precision, echoing the physical expressiveness of the school’s performers.
In keeping with the building’s dual nature—industrial and refined—the handle becomes a detail that unites all spaces: clear in form, exact in touch, and rich in meaning.
“FSB 1159 is naturally familiar, simply there. The things that are present—the things we can use—we embrace as they are, with as little intervention as possible. We ask ourselves: Does it need anything more? Is something missing—or is it already complete just the way it is?”
