most places have some structural detail that identifies them or hints at their location. things like the materials used, the shape of the sidewalks, the tiling or even the color of the scaffolding nets… for me, one of berlin’s most distinctive features is the omnipresent plattenbau.

plattenbau is a style of pre-fabricated buildings made of concrete panels. they became a popular construction method in the 60s, when demand for housing in berlin was high as they were cheap and quick to build. they’re easy to spot and you can still find them a bit everywhere, from nikolaiviertel to marzahn. just keep your eyes up!