Tucked away on Straße des 17. Juni, the Erweiterungsbau stands as a quiet testament to Berlin’s ever-evolving landscape. This building isn’t flashy or imposing. Yet it holds a significant piece of Berlin’s story, particularly for the Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs). The Erweiterungsbau, completed in 2008, filled a crucial gap. Literally. It bridged the spaces between the Ministry’s main building on Wilhelmstraße, the historic Ritterschaftsbank from 1890, and the Thuringian State Representation. The architects, Josef Paul Kleihues and Norbert Hensel, designed the Erweiterungsbau not just as an addition, but as a unifying element. Their design incorporated the protected Ritterschaftsbank, preserving history within the modern structure. And within the complex, their design created two inner courtyards, offering a touch of tranquility amidst the bustling city. The Erweiterungsbau also brought a new purpose to the Ministry’s grand entrance hall. Designed by Kleihues and inaugurated in 2000, the hall finally assumed its intended role as the central access point for the entire building complex. The bridges on the second and third floors provide quick access to the Ministry’s management wing. The Erweiterungsbau provided 4,500 square meters of much-needed office space. This space brought together 175 employees who had previously been scattered across various locations in Berlin. This consolidation streamlined operations and fostered a stronger sense of community within the Ministry. The Erweiterungsbau stands as a symbol of efficient urban planning and integration. It seamlessly blends the old with the new, the historical with the contemporary. It’s a quiet achiever, a building that solved a problem and enhanced its surroundings without demanding the spotlight.
Genossenschaft PA58
From 1981 the Genossenschaft PA58 stands tall. It’s a self-managed house project. This is its story. This impressive building in