2024-12-22T03:06:24-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150275029/franco-stella-s-800-million-reconstructed-humboldt-forum-finally-opens-amidst-controversy Josh Niland 2021-07-21T18:20:00-04:00 >2024-10-25T04:07:38-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/9c/9cc65938b4821d3b8008641d0204c342.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>The long-awaited opening of Berlin&rsquo;s Humboldt Forum took place yesterday afternoon, ending a years-long wait that saw a torrent of <a href="https://www.artforum.com/architecture/kristian-vistrup-madsen-on-the-humboldt-forum-in-berlin-85258" target="_blank">missives</a>, <a href="https://www.frieze.com/article/why-are-activists-kicking-storm-against-berlins-humboldt-forum" target="_blank">protests</a>, and other <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/return-of-cross-to-rebuilt-prussian-palace-vexes-some-berliners-1.4265975" target="_blank">public backlash</a> against the &euro;680 million ($800 million) project hosted by the city&rsquo;s <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/1789758/museum-island" target="_blank">Museum Island</a>.</p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/3c/3c5f50bf0d57b056e4677264723ab842.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/3c/3c5f50bf0d57b056e4677264723ab842.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>&copy; Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss / Photo: Frank Sperling</figcaption></figure><p>Franco Stella&rsquo;s reconstructed royal palace stands as a "meeting place with the cultures of the world" in the city of roughly 3.8 million, maintaining within its mix of modern and Baroque styles a dual look at both the history of Germany and of its namesake. The latter being mired in controversy owing to the erstwhile Humboldt brothers&rsquo; <a href="https://www.berghahnbooks.com/title/ClarkCosmos" target="_blank">involvement in Colonialism</a>.<br></p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/15/1532d89a8bdee998873190639f9ea652.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/15/1532d89a8bdee998873190639f9ea652.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>&copy; Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss / Photo: Alexander Schippel</figcaption></figure><figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/a5/a50d1d64be9b9b85d45cfe142698c46e.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/a5/a50d1d64be9b9b85d45cfe142698c46e.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>&copy; Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss / Photo: Stephan Falk</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/13/arts/design/berlin-humboldt-forum-opening-benin.html" target="_blank">Originally set for an opening in 2019</a>, its construction has been delayed several times because of overruns and a slate of technical issues. Faulty air conditioni...</p>