Exterior view

In the first half of the 19th century, even industrial architecture was dominated by historical styles. In the age of the steam engine and nascent mechanization, architects wanted to beautify industrial processes with historical styles. There were, however, attempts to develop a new architectural grammar for industrial buildings. Heinrich Gentz worked out a scheme for the M�nze (Mint) in Berlin based on the concept of “character,” in which every part of the structure is designed according to its function.

The Alte M�nze at the Werderschen Markt in Berlin was erected by the Neo-classical architect Gentz from 1798 to 1800 in the Friedrichswerder district, where a part of the Prussian minting bank was housed. The building was demolished in 1886 to accommodate a larger house.