My digital reconstruction of the Berlin Reich Chancellery
If you're interested in old Berlin, its historical buildings, and the Reich Chancellery, then we share a common interest. Even as a child, I've been fascinated by abandoned buildings. I asked myself questions like: What happened to this building? Why was it allowed to decay? I then searched for old photos to understand what might have happened there. This spirit of discovery and the desire to rediscover lost buildings have remained with me to this day. I've even turned this passion into my profession.
I've been working as a freelance artist for almost 30 years now. I started out as a classical painter. I opened my own galleries and designed murals on building facades. But through all the different working techniques I used during my creative periods, I always remained true to my main theme. All of my works depicted historical and lost architecture. So it's probably no surprise that with the advent of the first 3D programs, I began recreating historic buildings as 3D models.
And when I read Albert Speer's autobiography, I spontaneously decided to try my hand at reconstructing the Reich Chancellery before embarking on a larger project. I made this momentous decision in 2002. I could never have imagined back then that more than 20 years later, I would still be making new discoveries about the building every day. In recent years, I have produced several 3D animated documentaries about the Reich Chancellery and the Führerbunker. But I constantly come across new historical documents that force me to rework areas of my 3D model. One thing is certain: I will never be able to complete this work process. But in the process of digital reconstruction, I learn so much more than I could by simply looking at old photos. I also only recognize many details when viewing the 3D model in virtual reality. But writing the books in particular forces me to question things even more deeply in order to understand things. The books I have published are simply the result of my search for answers. The computer-generated images demonstrate my understanding of Albert Speer's architecture.
I invite you to join me on my journey of discovery through architectural history. You can do so by reading my books, visiting exhibitions of my paintings, or listening to my lectures. In any case, I can assure you that my work will only present you with an honest reflection of my discoveries.
Christoph Neubauer 2025