Klingenberg Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

The Klingenberg CHP Plant was the most significant new power plant to be constructed in Germany in the 1920s. Georg Klingenberg provided the technical concept for the project, which went on to set the benchmark for a new generation of large-scale power plants. It was the largest and most up-to-date power plant of its time and is still in operation to this day. The Klingenberg Power Plant was built in 1925/26 based on plans by Walter Klingberg and Werner Issel. The industrial plant is located on both sides of Köpenicker Chaussee between the railway area and the river Spree. Its architecture continues to impress today with its functional form and red clinker brick facing, which features expressive decorative details. The main focus is the eleven storey high-rise administrative building with its decorative clinker brick facing and innovative roof design, which is set back from the rest of the building. The switchgear plant is located opposite on the southern side of the street and extends upwards along eight stair towers. The residents of Lichtenberg suffered from the heavy smog created by the combined heat and power plant up until the 1960s, and the situation was only alleviated when chimneys with filters were incorporated. Nowadays, the CHP plant is still in operation, working with state of the art technology. It thus remains a living testimony to Berlin's industrial heritage.