The Philharmonie Berlin has been the musical heart of Berlin since 1963. Located at the periphery of West Berlin when it opened, it became part of the new urban center after the fall of the Wall and the city’s reunification. Its unusual tent-like shape and distinctive bright yellow color make it one of Berlin’s landmarks. When designing the layout of the auditorium, architect Hans Scharoun took inspiration from the image of vineyards rising along the slopes of a valley. Initially, the Philharmonie’s unusual architecture and innovative design ignited controversy—today it serves as a model for concert halls all over the world.