Potsdam Palace (Stadtschloss) was badly damaged during World War II, and its ruins were demolished in 1959-1960. After the unification of Germany, the idea of building this building anew arose, especially since it was a remarkable architectural monument: at the time of the destruction, the palace existed in the forms that the outstanding German architect Georg Knobelsdorf gave it during the rebuilding of this royal residence for Frederick the Great in the middle of the 18th century.
At the same time, the function of the new, "recreated" building was determined: it should accommodate the Landtag (parliament) of the state of Brandenburg. This, of course, was some problem: one of the conditions set by the customer - the authorities of Potsdam - was the preservation of the outlines and volumes of the original building (not to mention the historical facades), but the area of the Knobelsdorf Palace would not be enough to accommodate meeting rooms, offices of deputies, etc. employees and other necessary premises.
Therefore, Peter Kulka, the architect, according to whose project the palace will be rebuilt, decided to expand the area of the main building and the wings at the expense of the courtier. At the same time, all the proportions of the structure changed, which required a revision of the project, which will significantly differ from the destroyed monument. Kulka, in his own words, when working was guided by his own idea of what Knobelsdorf would have done in his place.
The facades will imitate the construction of the 18th century, and the interiors will be modern in style: the project is focused on the existing reconstruction of historical buildings, from which only the outer walls remain, where the old and the new are opposed. Peter Kulka himself is known for working on similar tasks and for a long time was an opponent of the construction of a "dummy" palace in Potsdam. But now there is a contradiction: despite the difference in shape and style of different parts of the palace, it will be completely built at the beginning of the 21st century.
The main staircase will become a kind of transitional space: its forms will repeat the original, but in a more restrained manner; at the same time, it will be adorned with the preserved details of the original decor, bearing the traces of fire and the effects of time. This will be the only element of the project where a hint of history is made: otherwise, the newly built Potsdam Palace will become a typical example of its deliberate destruction.
