The mother of all airports

An arc that spans more than 1,220 meters, the terminal building's unique architecture defines the panorama of the former Tempelhof Airport complex. The 1936 building, designed by Ernst Sagebiel, has two faces: To the city, it presents an ensemble of stone, in keeping with National Socialist ideology. But viewed from today's park, the airport shows a visage of modernity and glass. Although Nazi propaganda was hostile to this “New Building” architectural style, industrial and transportation projects during this time followed the principles of the New Objectivity (Neuen Sachlichkeit) in the choice of materials and construction techniques. Only the most visible portions of the buildings, such as façades and entrance portals, were designed in the preferred National Socialist style, at the same time monumental and traditional.

Designed from the beginning to accommodate passenger traffic levels of 30 times what were then current, Tempelhof was meant to be the biggest and most innovative structure of its time. The arrangement of the various levels enabled the streams of passengers, visitors, goods and cargo, baggage and mail to be separated. This principle was entirely new to aviation history. Today, it is standard for modern transport facilities. Linking air traffic with rail and road services was another of the facility's innovations. Underground development in the form of a railway and road tunnel was a key part of the building.

The cantilevered construction of the awning's roof remains impressive today. Over 380 meters wide and 49 meters deep, it seems to float over the gates and hangers. Even modern medium-range aircraft were able to roll beneath the 12-meter-high roof, allowing passengers to make their way from aircraft to the terminal shielded from the elements. Nor was there any need to de-ice the aircraft in the winter. Under the open canopy were moving walkways helping to process passengers, with a clear separation of functions: The eastern side was for arrivals, with departures on the west.

Conceived by Nazi rulers as the “largest and most beautiful airport in the world”, Tempelhof's most important function was to show off the power of the “Third Reich's” air force. Its intended use as an “air stadium” determined the shape of the terminal's arc. The 40-meter-wide overhanging canopy was meant to serve a platform that could accommodate more than 80,000 visitors.