Geutebruck Video Security Upgrade for Berlin’s Alexander House
"Alexanderhaus" in Berlin’s Alexanderplatz is now a modernist building with a modernized video security system. Owned by Landesbank Berlin AG, it has legal protection as a building of special architectural and historic interest and currently houses the head office of the Berlin Sparkasse - the Berlin Savings Bank.
Alexander House and its neighbour, Berolina House, were designed by the modernist architect Peter Behrens and constructed in 1930-32. They were the only designs from the 1929 Alexanderplatz redevelopment competition ever to be built. After severe damage in the Second World War, Alexander House was initially repaired in the ‘50s, then completely reconstructed and significantly expanded in 1994/5.
For the last 15 years or so a Geutebruck’s analog video system has been used for security purposes. Recently however, the local communications and security specialist KTF-Berlin GmbH upgraded it to bring it into the digital age and open it up for future improvements and expansion. The centralized analog system and analog displays have been replaced with Geutebruck digital equipment including hybrid re_porter video platforms, a GeViSoft management system and modern digital workstations running GSCView-Station software. For the time being the cabling and analog cameras have been retained, but these can now be easily replaced with IP cameras when desired.
Meeting current standards also involved the incorporation of Schneider-Intercom call points. These were linked to the video system via existing cabling and an analog matrix, thus ensuring that both picture and sound are available to security staff for assessing situations.