ic!berlin Tour

I've worn glasses since 3rd grade. I still remember how the world changed when I got my first pair - and one of the things I liked about the Harry Potter movies was how Harry put on his glasses first thing before going off on the next big adventure.

So, when I read that ic!berlin, a manufacturer of high-quality frames, (1) was in Berlin and (2) offered guided tours of their manufacturing place, I jumped at the chance. I signed up, got a date for the next week, and pedaled across town with great expectations. With traffic and construction I arrived just barely in time, was told that the tour had already started, and was directed to the lovely space on the roof where the company does their parties and events.

Three other people and one very charming little girl were also on tour, and our guide started by explaining how the patented design of the screwless frames allows you to put the glasses together just by snapping them back. For all those who've struggled with finding an option on a Sunday to help mend a problem, this seems like a great idea. But ic!Berlin has more that makes them special. First, they are most likely the only true manufacturer inside Berlin; the work still gets done in trendy Mitte, right next to the places, where, for example, the Berlinale takes place - and right where all the cool kids live.

Among our guides primary functions at the company were organizing events, both for employees and other groups, and finding art - PR with a twist, in a way. The picture above was from a small room off the roof - still equipped with a couch, the room was by homeless person at night. This gentlemen has since risen to fame by being in certain ads (clearly I was missing out on some cultural references here) and he no longer lives there. Instead, the room is used for art supplies and beer.

From the lofty heights of the roof terrace, we descended to the 5th floor, which house primarily the white collar workers including the 3 bosses. A large wall of art showed pieces donated by artists in exchange for frames - several of these are quite famous.

I was going to crop the fan on the left - but it's such a very German thing to not have air conditioning in homes or office buildings, and ic!berlin was no exception. In the same way, the bike rack at the entrance right off the elevators seemed different from how bikes are often banned and hidden away in some American offices.

We descended to the fourth floor, where photos were, regrettably, not allowed, but it was fascinating to see how many steps of manufacture and QE each frame had to go through. First, the frames were cut out of the sheet metal, maybe 20 at a time. The fairly big remnant pieces are recycled or used for art. Next, the frames are bent by hand using special tools, one by one. In later steps, the frames are polished, and finally plain glass is added to allow the customers to get a feeling for the glasses they might buy. We talked to some of the people who were doing the work, and they seemed happy enough about working in a well-lit office that offered good parties and had to follow German labour laws.

In addition to the laser cutters, we also saw a small 3D printer that is being used for prototypes of frames, and were able to watch a QE person look at glasses extremely carefully - even a small scratch means the whole pair is a reject.

Back up on the 5th floor, we saw some more art - a lot of it much like Berlin street art - and the Wall of Frame, an attempt to collect each frame ever made by ic!berlin. Business started in the late 90s with handmade frames that the owners peddled, black market style, at a trade show. They almost got themselves kicked out, but somehow things worked out, and now they have a solid business and are even thinking of expanding to other parts of the Backfabrik.

Some of the glasses they produce are one-offs for famous people - and in general, I saw more star-struckness than I would have expected in our guide.

The golden pair at top left, for example, would be a great choice for a walk down the red carpet.

Be that as it may, I was impressed that a company is trying to produce these frames where they're designed, and I like the designs enough to consider getting a pair. After all, they'd make such an excellent light-weight souvenir....