The house was constructed using dark red coal-fired bricks specifically chosen by Mies van der Rohe to achieve a particular textural quality.
During the East German era, the house was used as a laundry facility for the Ministry for State Security (Stasi), which caused significant interior damage.
The building was restored in the early 2000s to return it as closely as possible to the original 1933 design intent.
Despite its minimalist appearance, the floor plan is highly functional and reflects the specific domestic needs of the original owners.
The garden surrounding the house was originally designed by the landscape architect Karl Foerster, a pioneer in modern perennial planting.
The house remains one of the few surviving examples of Mies van der Rohe's residential architecture in its original location.
The Mies van der Rohe Haus, also known as Haus Lemke, is the final residential building designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in Germany before he emigrated to the United States. Built in 1932–1933 for the art collectors Martha and Karl Lemke, it represents a pinnacle of the International Style with its flat-roofed, brick-clad aesthetic. The structure emphasizes a seamless transition between the living spaces and the surrounding garden through floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Since 1990, the building has served as a public space for exhibitions of modern art, architecture, and design. It is situated on the shores of the Obersee in the Alt-Hohenschönhausen district of Berlin. The house is a protected monument, reflecting the architect's signature minimalist approach to materials like steel, glass, and wood.
From the garden looking back toward the house to capture the reflection of the building in the floor-to-ceiling glass.
Walk through the connecting garden path to the neighboring Obersee for a full view of the lakeside facade.
Check the official website for current exhibition themes, as they change frequently and are often site-specific.
Do not miss the archival displays often tucked away in secondary rooms which detail the building's tumultuous history.
Do not attempt to touch the glass walls or interior architectural finishes.
Closed on Tuesdays.
Visitors must remove footwear or use provided shoe covers to protect the original flooring.
