vango

We finally arrived at the top of the building and the Dome. It is a spectacular piece of work. It replaced the standard copper clad dome of the 19th century with a huge glass affair. It was designed by architect Norman Foster and built to symbolize the reunification of Germany. It is glass with two ramps intertwined, one to go up and the other coming down. The walk makes about three revolutions before arriving at a viewing gallery with panoramic views of the city. There is no top to this structure. It has a hole about 20 feet in diameter open to the sky. The dome is louvered glass that directs the airflow to help the air-conditioning work. It does all look a bit other worldly because of the differences in material. The building is solid heavy stone and the dome is light airy glass. The design projects the idea that the people are above the Parliament both literally and figuratively and subject to the scrutiny of the citizens because everything is transparent.