Foster & Partners’ Beautiful Green Renovation of Berlin’s Old Reichstag Parliament Building

If you're ever in Berlin, we definitely recommend booking a free visit to famed architect <a title="Norman Foster's Gorgeous Glazed Cupola Turns The Reichstag Parliament in Berlin Into an Energy Power Station " href="http://www.fosterandpartners.com/" target="_blank">Norman Foster</a>'s magnificent cupola at the <a title="Norman Foster's Gorgeous Glazed Cupola Turns The Reichstag Parliament in Berlin Into an Energy Power Station " href="http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/index.html" target="_blank">Reichstag</a>. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, the Reichstag is a German capital landmark that was erected in 1894 as a parliament building. Due to a fire, the historic building was partially destroyed, but was then <a title="Norman Foster's Gorgeous Glazed Cupola Turns The Reichstag Parliament in Berlin Into an Energy Power Station " href="http://inhabitat.com/berlin-factory-renovated-into-stunning-recyclable-livework-space/" target="_blank">restored</a> by Foster in a way that followed a rigorous environmental agenda.

It was partially restored in the 60s, but the final work by British architects Fosters &amp; Partners was done in 1999, flourishing as the modern Bundestag.

The Reichstag opened in 1894 and in 1933 was severely damaged by a fire.

The renovated building features a magnificent-glazed copula on its terrace roof.

The gorgeous glass cupola brings plenty of natural light and ventilation down to the parliament floors and into its own entrance, reflected by its mirrored-core.

Through helical ramps people can ascend to the cupola's top, get a rest and enjoy a 360-degree view of the city.

A large sun shield tracks the movement of the sun electronically and blocks direct sunlight to avoid excess heat and uncomfortable glaze.

The restored Reichstag boasts a 94% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and uses renewable bio-fuel and provides energy for a few others parliaments buildings behind it.

Almost like a power station, its surplus heat is stored as hot water 990 foot below the ground and comes back as heating during winter.

There were 4 issues on the transformation: "The significance of the Bundestag as a democratic forum, a commitment to the public accessibility, a sensitivity to history and a rigorous environmental agenda".

The radically renovated building is now a great example of energy efficiency and power storage.

Located at the northeast end of the Tiergarten park, the new Reichstag building and cupola can be accessed free of charged if booked three days in advance on the internet, it's worth it.

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