By Steffi Bliedung in Berlin

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The new embassy of the Republic of Poland was opened just in time for the start of the Polish EU Council Presidency. A representative, elegant new building that replaces the old building from GDR times in the same location. In a prominent location, surrounded by other important embassies such as the one opposite the Russian Federation, the Hungarian Embassy next door, a stone's throw away from the Embassy of the USA and France on Pariser Platz and last but not least the Embassy of the United Kingdom next to Hotel Adlon. A representative statement from Poland that does justice to the magnificent boulevard. The prominent address: Unter den Linden 70-72.

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When former Polish Chargé d'Affaires in Germany, Jan Tombiński, invited people interested in architecture and diplomacy to present the new building, Warsaw architects Marcin Sadowski and Izabela Leple-Migdalska (JEMS Architects' Office) accompanied him. A unique opportunity to talk to the builders of the building in person.

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The planning process took over 25 years. The local specifications and many special requirements (‘Historic Centre Building Design Ordinance’) had to be observed. ‘For us, this meant creating a building that clearly blends into the Berlin cityscape and at the same time has a strong identity of its own,’ explained the architect in charge, Marcin Sadowski.

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Following the demolition of the previous building from the GDR, which was postponed several times between 2020 and 2024, a spacious new building with five floors and an underground car park was built. The building houses both the embassy and the consulate as well as rooms for conferences and cultural events. The event spaces on the ground floor are designed to be extremely versatile. The foyer is spread over two floors and can accommodate up to 800 people. The adjustable partition walls create rooms of different sizes so that they can be played with several events in parallel. An event by diplo.news and the korrespondenten.cafe with ambassadors from Poland and Ukraine moderated by Ewald König — exactly on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine — amazed the 140 participants.

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The building has a total floor space of 12,000 square meters. The façade looks rather modest while the interior is stunningly spacious and flooded with light. The architects created several courtyards that incorporate some nature into the diplomatic environment with seasonally adapted plants. The wood paneling on the walls and in the stairwells gives the place a certain dignity. In one of the courtyards, there are two flagpoles that even tower over the building: space for the Polish and European flags.

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There is a flat for the ambassador on the top floor. It does not replace the residence, but is available to the head of mission if he ever needs a place to stay overnight.

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After dark, the sophisticated lighting brings the building to life. The light underlines the spatial structure of the façade — a magical spectacle for passers-by. Project architect Izabela Leple-Migdalska sees this as the realisation of the idea of “light in architecture.”

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In the entrance area, in one of the courtyards, there is a listed steel mural created in 1966 by internationally renowned blacksmith Fritz Kühn, which decorated the gate entrance to the old embassy building. It was later stored and brilliantly restored by the artist's son Achim Kühn during construction. The 224 symbolic linden leaves made of aluminum, pay homage to the Unter den Linden boulevard. Fritz Kühn was, by the way, the first blacksmith who became known beyond the borders of the GDR with his works and established this craft as a recognized art movement.