Perhaps the walls of Haus 1 could tell tales of transformation. They have seen this building evolve through different eras. Haus 1 stands as a testament to Potsdam’s multifaceted history.
Originally built between 1939 and 1940, Haus 1 initially served as the Presidential and Administrative Building of the German Red Cross. Imagine the flurry of activity during those early years. Officials bustled through its hallways. Decisions that shaped the Red Cross’s wartime operations were made here.
After the war, Haus 1 underwent its first major transformation. It became the headquarters for the Supreme Command of the Soviet Armed Forces in Germany from 1945 to 1946. The atmosphere shifted. Soviet officers replaced Red Cross officials. The building now echoed with the languages and strategies of a new occupying power.
The building then became the German Academy for State and Law Science Walter Ulbricht from 1953 to 1990. Haus 1 played a crucial role in shaping East Germany’s legal and administrative framework. It was a place where future leaders were educated. They were taught the principles that would govern the GDR. After reunification, the academy transitioned into the College of Law and Administration.
Today Haus 1 is part of the University of Potsdam. It houses lecture halls and seminar rooms for the Faculty of Law. It also hosts the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences. The Human Rights Center also calls this building home. The Center for Information Technology is here too. The building facilitates the Entrepreneurship and Management Lab.
The building is now a protected building. Its architecture reflects both its original purpose and subsequent adaptations. The building has a hipped roof. The roof is covered with roof tiles. The walls are made of plaster. The building has three and a half stories.
Haus 1 also serves as a location for important civic duties. For example, in 2025, it will host a postal voting office. Citizens can come to Haus 1 to cast their votes in person. The building is located at Hegelallee 6-10.