Berlin: Capital of Modern Architecture

Berlin: Capital of Modern Architecture

Pierluigi Serraino
Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (PT)
Repeats every Wednesday until Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025
Price: $130.00
68 slots available
Join/Renew
a stunning circle of glass in a modernist building

Following the Renaissance, the center of gravity of Western architectural discourse shifted permanently from the Mediterranean Sea to Northern Europe. Berlin took a leading role in that context battling against Paris, London, and Vienna to gain supremacy over the continent on cultural and artistic matters. Its ascent on the European scene had in the neoclassical architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel its foremost representative, the first in a series of creatives who shaped architectural and urban culture in Western civilization. This course explores the historical footprint of this city from its birth to the present day.

Faculty Bio

Pierluigi Serraino is a practicing architect and educator. The author of many books on architecture, including TASCHEN's Modernism Rediscovered and Monacelli's The Creative Architect, his articles and projects have appeared in Architectural Record, The Architectural Review, Perspecta, Abitare, A+U, ACADIA, and the Journal of Architectural Education.

This is a Livestreamed + Recorded Course

  • Classes will stream live on the scheduled day and time
  • Classes will also be video recorded
  • You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program

Schedule Highlights

  • Course starts on Wednesday, Jan. 22 and ends on Wednesday, Feb. 12
  • Classes meet for 4 weeks, 1.5 hours per session (10:30–noon)
  • All course materials, including videos, will be available to view and enjoy through Mar. 30

Member Praise for Pierluigi Serraino

Pierluigi is a wonderful instructor — I always learn something new from him, as well as something new to think about. He always opens my eyes!

Course materials, organization, Pierluigi's deep knowledge of the specific area and ability to fit it into larger context of regional traditions and international design trends, and receptivity to participant questions & observations ... all great! Highly recommend!

Faculty Q&A