Imagine a sprawling structure, a testament to architectural ambition. That’s the Rost- und Silberlaube. Its name might sound unusual. It hints at the story we’re about to uncover.
The Rost- und Silberlaube is part of the Freie Universität Berlin. The university decided to use these nicknames as official names. The Rost- und Silberlaube includes the Holzlaube and Campusbibliothek. Mensa II and the Philological Library are also part of it.
Originally, this complex was called Institutskomplex Obstbaugelände. This translates to Institute Complex Orchard Site. Later, it was known as Geisteswissenschaftliche Institute. This means Humanities Institutes. Rostlaube and Silberlaube were informal names back then.
The Freie Universität Berlin grew rapidly in the 1950s. By the 1960s, it became a mass university. The expansion included building on the Obstbaugelände in Dahlem. The Technische Universität Berlin had used this land for fruit cultivation.
In 1963, an architectural competition was held for the expansion. Candilis-Josic-Woods won the competition. Shadrach Woods and Manfred Schiedhelm were mainly responsible for the design. Their design featured a carpet-like structure. It was designed to cover the entire orchard site.
The design’s most striking feature is its polycentric access. It’s like a street grid running through the building. Many courtyards are cut into this building. Three parallel corridors run lengthwise. They are called J-Street, K-Street and L-Street. Narrow, numbered corridors run perpendicular to these main streets.
The building is modular and can be disassembled. It is screwed together, not welded. The architects wanted the building to be easily modified. The streets are named J, K, and L. This allows future expansion without reorganizing the orientation system.
Candilis-Josic-Woods-Schiedhelm collaborated with Jean Prouvé for the facades. The facade’s proportions followed Le Corbusier’s Modulor system. Corten steel was chosen as the facade material. This steel alloy was supposed to prevent rust from penetrating.
The Rostlaube is the first construction phase. It was built from 1967 to 1973. It represents about one-third of the original design. During planning, Candilis-Josic-Woods dissolved. Shadrach Woods became a professor in the USA. Manfred Schiedhelm led the Berlin branch.
The Silberlaube was built between 1975 and 1979. Manfred Schiedhelm was the architect. Unlike the Rostlaube, it is clad in aluminum panels. The Silberlaube extends the Rostlaube to the northeast. Together, they represent about two-thirds of the original design.
The Campusbibliothek was built between 1980 and 1984. It is northwest of the Silberlaube. It was also designed by Manfred Schiedhelm.
The Rostlaube was extensively renovated from 1999 to 2007. Foster + Partners led the renovation. The Corten steel plates were replaced with copper sheets.
During the renovation, the Philological Library was created. It is located inside the Rostlaube. Foster + Partners were the architects.
The Holzlaube is the newest addition. It stands in line with the Mensa and Campusbibliothek. Its facades are clad in wood. Florian Nagler designed the Holzlaube. It was built between 2012 and 2014. A parking deck was demolished for its construction.
Outside, the cherry trees mirror the Rost- und Silberlaube’s grid. They connect the site’s history to the building’s design. The cherry trees create a spectacular bloom in spring.
The Rost- und Silberlaube stands as a testament to architectural vision. It embraces both history and innovation. It is a place where the past informs the present. It shapes the future of learning.