Magnificent original stucco from the period of construction for the new Satellite Office “KUD15 Gloria Berlin”

We are working feverishly on the opening of the new Satellite Offices workspace in the “KUD15 Gloria Berlin” at Berlin’s Gedächtniskirche. It will be ready by the end of September 2020. Gloria Berlin is a magnificent Wilhelminian-style building that tells stories and lets you feel the swing of old Berlin. Anita Gödiker: “This is a project that my heart beats for. The many beautiful period style elements such as sliding doors, tiled stoves, bay windows, stucco ceilings and the small balconies facing Ku’damm are being restored to their original state. This is a gift. The building’s original color scheme is currently being restored. It’s magnificent,” says the Managing Director of Satellite Office enthusiastically.

Anita Gödiker also gave us the tip to talk to Jens Richter, owner of the company “Richter Stuck und Spezialbau GmbH”. A true artist of his trade, he has restored the elaborate ornaments and fine stucco ceilings true to the original. Jens Richter has been a trained master plasterer and state-certified restorer in the stucco trade for almost 30 years. He and his team of up to six people have been working on this rare project for over six months. “The task was to bring over 600 square meters of stucco ceilings back to life. There are three types of stucco ceilings, all three very elaborate”. First of all, the layers of dirt from the last few decades had to be carefully removed from the 600 square meters of ceiling. “There were up to five hard layers of dirt on the ceilings, which we carefully removed with a steam jet so as not to destroy the valuable colors and ornaments underneath.” Removing the ceiling paintings and bronzing was a very special challenge. Jens Richter: “For me, there is a very special highlight in the project: in one room there is a stucco ceiling that looks like it is made of wood. But it was all plaster stucco. In terms of craftsmanship, it was the most elaborate room. There was also water damage there, so a lot had to be redone and added.” Jens Richter goes on to report on ornamented corner covings in three different types: acanthus leaves, ornamented cartouches and small console corner covings. All the rooms have ornamented ceiling mirrors in the form of coffers and circles.

What must it be like to soon be working under such historic, elaborately crafted ceilings? Will anyone remember later that so much craftsmanship, attention to detail and passion went into the restoration of the ceilings alone? I for one will look up more often and think of Jens Richter, who created this “heaven” for us!