“A shimmering silver skin. That’s what I thought of Silberlaube at first glance”. This is Silberlaube. Part of the Free University of Berlin’s Dahlem Campus. It’s more than just a building. It’s a story of ambitious expansion and architectural innovation.
Silberlaube wasn’t always known by this name. Originally part of a larger complex. It was once simply called the “Institute Complex Obstbaugelände”. The names Rostlaube and Silberlaube were informal nicknames. Only recently did the university make them official. Think of it as a nickname that stuck.
The university’s growth in the 1950s and 60s demanded more space. The Obstbaugelände land was chosen. It was previously an orchard used by the Technical University. A design competition followed in 1963. The winning team Candilis-Josic-Woods had a vision. A sprawling complex covering the entire orchard.
The design was revolutionary. A network of internal pathways resembled a street grid. Numerous courtyards broke up the building’s expanse. The building’s structure was modular and easily adaptable. This wasn’t just about building a structure. It was about building something flexible and changeable. Something that would grow with the university.
Silberlaube the silver one. It’s the second phase of the construction project. Built between 1975 and 1979. Unlike the Rostlaube with its Corten steel. Silberlaube boasts an aluminum facade. This reflects the innovative spirit of its time. A time of bold architectural experimentation.
Manfred Schiedhelm was the architect for this phase. He continued the original vision. He expanded the campus in a north-easterly direction directly extending the Rostlaube. Justus Burtin and Hartmut Happ helped on the project.
The Silberlaube is part of a larger complex. It includes the Rostlaube. The Campus Library. Even Mensa II the university cafeteria. All tell their own stories. All woven together in the history of the Free University.
Today Silberlaube stands as a testament to architectural ambition. A symbol of a rapidly expanding university. A landmark reflecting Berlin’s vibrant past and present. It’s a place of learning and growth. It’s a place where students and scholars come together. It’s a place with a rich history waiting to be explored. Take a moment. Absorb the sleek design. Appreciate the story within these silver walls. This is Silberlaube. A shimmering symbol of Berlin’s academic spirit.