More than a decade since reunification, the creative scene in Berlin has achieved a reputation as the new avant-garde, with projects characterised by myriad ideas, unconventional approaches and an international spectrum, while also addressing local urban issues in a variety of different ways. The exhibition " Design Berlin!" demonstrates that few places can compare with Germany's capital when it comes to innovation in such a wide variety of forms. Designers such as Werner Aisslinger or Vogt+Weizenegger have established an

international reputation with objects that combine technical and aesthetic innovation. Among the architectural examples presented in "Design Berlin!" are uncompromising and prescient projects by architects such as Grüntuch/Ernst, Hoyer & Schindele, abcarius burns, HamannPottArchitekten and others, including the futuristic development of attic and roof space as well as floating houses for the river Spree. They show that much of the most innovative architectural work in Berlin during the past years is to be found outside of the large-scale central projects, and that Berlin has kept pace with international developments in other architectural metropolises thanks to individual projects such as these.

The most typical Berlin projects, however, have emerged in the border area between architecture and design, between reality and utopia-when creative thinkers from extremely varied disciplines address situations such as industrial ruins, undeveloped land resulting from the Berlin Wall, construction sites and residential spaces. They often arrive at radical or humorous solutions, such as a camouflage facade for the yet to be built "Stadtschloss" and other unpopular buildings (RedesignDeutschland), an open-air swimming facility at the "Kupfergraben", a do-it-yourself balcony (realities united), or legendary clubs and bars with furnishings from the ex-GDR (Fred Rubin).