GETTING CLOSE
TEMPODROM
(gmp Architects)
The BOOK
„GETTING CLOSE - TEMPODROM“ is a refined interplay of architectural photography, layout design, typography, and printing. The minimally edited images are accompanied by a geometric typeface, which highlights the clean lines of the architecture. The high-quality, high-contrast digital printing enhances the brilliance of the photographs with its deep blacks. The thread-bound, uncoated paper reflects the surface texture of the roof structure and fascinates with its strikingly tactile quality simultaneously rough and exceptionally smooth. Each design element was carefully selected and meticulously harmonized to honor both the visual aesthetic and the cultural significance of this iconic venue.
The DEVELOPMENT
The photographic encounter with the Tempodrom in Berlin-Kreuzberg happened spontaneously—sparked by a conversation about architectural masterpieces in the capital, during which a fellow photographer highlighted the distinctive design language of this structure. Visible from the Park am Gleisdreieck, the striking white peaks of the Tempodrom immediately drew attention. The fascination with the symmetry and presence of the construction became palpable upon the very first step onto the rooftop terrace. Between 2021 and 2023, an extraordinary series of images was created, photographed exclusively with an iPhone. Through diverse perspectives, precise lighting, and a harmonious interplay of proximity and distance, the series reveals the architecture from unexpected and nuanced angles—a multifaceted portrait that vividly captures the sculptural power of the building to life. Standing 37 meters tall, the Tempodrom, designed by gmp – Architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners, impresses with its futuristic geometry and sculptural elegance. The patinated membrane of the roof structure lends the building a captivating materiality, reminiscent of its origins as a circus tent. At the same time, its distinctive crown of peaks evokes comparisons to Niemeyer’s Cathedral of Brasília, bridging the worlds of lightness and monumentality. Terms like “tent” and “cathedral” not only describe its form but also reflect the evolution of the venue into one of the capital’s most significant cultural landmarks. These metaphors frequently appear in newspaper and magazine articles.
The DETAILS
ISBN: 978-3-9825503-0-5 Softcover, open-spine binding with white thread stitching Text/Image/Design: MXPRIVÉ Publisher: Self-published Year of publication: 2023 1st Edition: 45 copies Format: 210x297mm Pages: 52 inner pages + cover Images: 25 (b/w and color) Paper: Metapaper extrasmooth white 270g/m² and Metapaper extrarough white 150g/m² Printing: 5/5 Euroscale + DH K / Euroscale + DH K Price: 35€
The AWARDS
SILBER, BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL FOTO AWARDS (BIFA), 2023, BOOK-FINE ART, Non-Professional BRONZE, PRIX DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE PARIS (PX3), 2023, BOOK/MONOGRAPH, Non-Professional




