Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures), Berlin

Built in 1957 as the American pavilion for the International Exhibition of Construction and Design, the building fondly known by Berliners as the "pregnant oyster" (because of its curiously-shaped roof) is today home to the House of World Cultures. The building was used as a congress center for many years, yet when the roof collapsed in 1980, its future was more than uncertain. Eventually, however, it was rebuilt for Berlin's 750th anniversary celebrations and today serves as a center for ethnic art and culture with regular exhibitions, concerts, congresses and theatre performances. In late January, many Transmediale festival events take place here.

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