Clärchens Ballhaus

Occhio sets the scene for a historical jewel

Preserving the magic of the Hall of Mirrors and combining it with the rough, boyish atmosphere of the lower rooms - the aim was to create a place that combines history and modernity and at the same time feels like a journey through time. The renowned German set designer Uli Hanisch approached his task with this ambitious claim. Clärchens Ballhaus, an architectural Berlin original with 111 years of history, was to be given a new, contemporary look without losing sight of its historical DNA. Recovered treasures such as old murals were uncovered and refreshed - as was the ageing furniture, which continues to tell the story of Clärchen's eventful past and keeps it alive.

Dark wood, red velvet and a golden ceiling that now shines again - they all tell of the splendour of the Clärchen, which opened in 1913 and enriched Berlin's cultural scene with its Hall of Mirrors, where people danced, laughed and enjoyed themselves. Uli Hanisch has taken up all these elements: Vibrant colours such as pink and purple add feminine accents and surprise, while the reworked wood panelling, velvet upholstery and golden accents create a warm atmosphere. Restored and reinterpreted details have succeeded in preserving the historical authenticity.

Uli Hanisch has skilfully staged the elegance and charm of the past with the perfect lighting. He chose the Sento sospeso and Sento verticale luminaires from Occhio, which emphasise the historical character of the room without themselves taking centre stage. But it's not just the brushed bronze surface that harmonises with the interior - the technology behind it also creates an incomparable atmosphere. Thanks to the separate control of uplights and downlights, the golden ceiling can be emphasised, the tables highlighted or both elements combined. The integrated lighting scenarios, which were developed for various occasions such as dinners or cocktail hours, were decisive for Uli Hanisch in creating the atmosphere - for an interplay of intimacy and vibrant glamour.