A converted Gas station in Berlin

My heart skipped a beat when I found these photos of a converted 1950's Gas station were found over at Freunde von freunden. The home in Schöneberg, Berlin was brought and converted by gallery owner Juerg Judin after 13 years of admiring it from afar....

How long have you had the gas station?

I bought it in 2005, but the first time I saw it was in 1992. It had already been on the market for seven years, unused. A ‘For Sale’ sign with a phone number hung in the window. I photographed the place almost every time I was in Berlin, documenting its slow decay. Here was this somewhat sad useless construction in a perfect central location – it fascinated me and somehow called to me: do something with me!

You had been taking photos of the building for quite a while. Why did you wait so long to buy it?

At the time, I was commuting between London and Zurich. In 1992, I spent a wonderful summer in Berlin for a film production and fell in love with the city. After that, I started coming here regularly and going past the station. One day, after 13 years, the for-sale sign was suddenly gone. I thought, Oh God, someone bought my gas station.

Then what?

Then it turned out that the sign had simply fallen down; the gas station was still to be had. At that point, I knew, Okay, that was probably a wake-up call.

To read more about Jour.'s home and see more photos visit Freunde von Freunden

The Berlin home of ... Kate Bellm

"It is a warm summer afternoon in Kate Bellm's house in Berlin- Friedrichshain. The doors and windows are widely opened and the sound of music reaches the lovely backyard, were two turtles enjoy some rays of sunshine. The spacious living room with an open kitchen and loft-character speaks of a creative spirit and instantly takes oneself on a journey into the world of the 26-year old from London. All over the place souvenirs, painted wood, colorful carpets, talismans and wall decoration tell stories about the journeys of the young Berliner by choice, who has already made quite a name for herself as a photographer internationally. Apart from campaigns for labels such as Kaviar Gauche, Kitsune and Lika Mimika, her editorials for Interview Magazine, L’officiel and Vogue UK are only a few publications of her impressive portfolio.

In the middle of 2000 Kate moved to Berlin, to the city of partying and of the excessive lifestyle, where she quickly erased this exact world between long nights and dawn from her own world. Instead she straightaway saw the potential of the creative scene of the German capitol and felt the need to put all her energy into her projects. While her commissional work is mostly about shooting beautiful girls in eclectic settings, her analogue photography wanders on a far more intimate and personal path.....

To view more Images and read the full Interview with Kate Bellm visit IgNant