A cut above the rest: Licht im Raum

Everyone who lives in Düsseldorf knows the Bilker Bunker: a legacy of the Second World War and for a long time, a problem child of the city. What to do with it? Since the mid-1990s, a huge mural has adorned its facade, a memorial to flight, expulsion and the often uncertain futures awaiting people seeking a new life in a distant land. When the now-listed building was upgraded for reuse after several years of discussion, the facade remained largely untouched. The changes took place inside, and more particularly, above. A spectacular superstructure was built on the roof, offering space for five separate penthouses, while the seven floors below are preserved for a variety of different uses, such as a cultural centre, a music bar, a gallery and studios.