Auguststrasse, in Berlin’s Mitte District, is rapidly becoming gentrified, attracting artists and cultural institutions. One, the Café Bravo, has settled in the courtyard of an old margarine factory and is based on an idea of American artist Dan Graham.

Cafe Bravo at Berlin, Germany

This construction of shimmering greenish-silver, mirrored glass and highly polished steel lies in contrast to the classicist facades lining the courtyard. The steel skeleton was prefabricated off-site and lifted in by crane.

The structure’s visual effects are stunning: day or night, the facade reflects its surroundings, its glass melting and blending into the steel. The composition, hastily sketched by the artist and faxed to Berlin, is a work of art in itself, knowing how to confuse, distract and delight the senses with distorted, mirrored, refracted images.

Although the café occupies only 87 meter square of the total usable surface space of 1,485 meter square – leaving the rest for cultural activities- its unique composition is the focal point of the entire project. It consists of two glazed square cubes set at an angle against each other and projecting into the courtyard. The glazed, floor-to-ceiling doors with automatic controls are integrated seamlessly into the design. The roof of the cubes is also glass, giving patrons the sensation of sitting out in the courtyard, without having to endure the inconvenience of cold weather. Mirrors entirely cove the rear concrete wall, ingeniously reflecting the courtyard back toward the café.

The smooth concrete floor and exposed concrete late-a walls are a discreet, understated contrast to the facades