Juristische Fakultät, Humboldt-Universität Berlin
Sign on the facade of the Law Faculty of the Humboldt-Universität at Bebelplatz, Berlin.
The letterforms are derived from Times New Roman, with straightened top serifs (r, i, h, k, l) and exit strokes (u, a) as well as lowered dots. Most notably, ‘t’ was given a vernacular shape that resembles a barred ‘l’ as found in architectural lettering from the late 19th/early 20th century. It’s commendable that a local lettering tradition is referenced for a contemporary sign, but why start with Times New Roman?
The Alte Bibliothek (“Kommode”) houses the Law Faculty since 1910. The facade was reconstructed in 1963–69 under the direction of Werner Kötteritzsch, based on the original design [Landesdenkmalamt Berlin]. Photos from 1977 and 1996 don’t show any lettering. By 2002, a sign had been added, initially using old-fashioned spelling (“Fakultaet”). The current version — with umlaut and hence less balanced in terms of word length — was installed after August 2008 and before April 2011.
