Skip to content

Transformed Kitchen: A Subway-like Set-up!

Apartment Transformed into Technological Museum by Watchmaker Benjamin Hauber, Featuring a Functioning U-Bahn in the Kitchen as His Workspace.

A user's cooking area transformed into a replica of the Subway sandwich chain restaurant.
A user's cooking area transformed into a replica of the Subway sandwich chain restaurant.

Transformed Kitchen: A Subway-like Set-up!

In the quaint town of Weilheim, Germany, lives Benjamin Hauber, a trained watchmaker and restorer at the German Museum. Hauber's apartment, a blend of a vintage flea market and a technical museum, has gained quite a reputation, with its most striking feature being the U-Bahn front part in his kitchen.

The inspiration for this unique kitchen fixture came from a Berliner's S-Bahn head in Hauber's living room. Intrigued by the vintage charm, Hauber acquired the U-Bahn front part through a deal with an acquaintance. The piece, which fits perfectly into his apartment, was originally scrapped by the MVG but now serves as a centrepiece in Hauber's kitchen.

The line display on the U-Bahn front part can be changed, adding a touch of personalisation to this unusual kitchen decor. The clocks in Hauber's apartment range in size from small alarm clocks to large standing and station clocks, with over 300 clocks distributed throughout the space.

Hauber's living room also boasts a high-voltage control panel from the 1950s, previously on display at the German Museum. The chair he sits on was once the seat of a U-Bahn driver, adding to the authenticity of the space.

The walls of Hauber's apartment are covered with numerous display boards showing train connections, tracks, and delays, reflecting his deep-rooted interest in mechanics. This interest was sparked when his Captain Bluebeard alarm clock broke down, and he couldn't put it back together.

Despite the media attention, Hauber currently has no plans to start a new project. His apartment, a testament to his love for mechanics and vintage items, continues to be a unique and fascinating space for visitors. For Hauber, the old U-Bahn series is not just a collection of scrap metal; it's a reminder of beautiful memories from his childhood.

Hauber's mother and grandmother, initially surprised by the U-Bahn in his kitchen, have since grown to appreciate the unique charm it brings to the home. The transformation of Hauber's apartment into a vintage flea market-cum-technical museum is a testament to his creative vision and love for all things mechanical.

Read also: