The impressive dome of the German Reichstag
will soon lit the skyline of Berlin relying solely on energy sources
such as water, wind and solar energy.
German parliamentarians have
decided to make the Reichstag the greenest parliament building in the
world by replacing conventional power - that it has largely relied upon
until now - with renewable energy sources. The swap to green power
sources will happen from late summer 2008.
The Reichstag has been
the home of Germany's parliament for nine years. From 1994-99 it was
reconstructed and extended by Norman Foster adding the
impressive and accessible glass cupola, which has become one of Berlin’s
newest landmarks. The building already boasts several green features
such as passive use of solar power and natural light which combined
with the well-insulated 19th-century walls retain warmth in winter and
reduce the need for air conditioning in summer.
Today the
Reichstag is one of the Berlin's biggest crowd-draws. If you want to
avoid the endless queue outside book a table at restaurant Käfer and you can get straight into the building. The restaurant’s champagne brunch may be your best bet.