Schürmann-Bau

Have you ever heard of a building that floated? Right here, before us, stands the Schürmann-Bau, a building with a truly unusual story. The Schürmann-Bau, named after its architect Joachim Schürmann, wasn’t always the home of Deutsche Welle. It was originally designed as an office building for members of the Bundestag. Construction began in 1989, with a planned completion date of 1995. But then, in December 1993, the Rhine River had other plans. A massive flood hit Bonn. The Schürmann-Bau, still under construction, experienced something extraordinary. The rising groundwater levels caused the unfinished building’s shell to lift up to 70 centimeters. Imagine a building floating! This unusual event severely damaged the structure. A lengthy legal battle ensued over who was responsible for the damage. The Schürmann-Bau’s floating act resulted in a hefty price tag, making it one of the most expensive construction projects in German post-war history. Renovations cost an estimated 700 million euros. The building finally opened in 2002. Deutsche Welle has called the Schürmann-Bau home since 2003. And in a further twist to its story, the German TV channel Phoenix will also move into the Schürmann-Bau in 2024. So, next time you see the Schürmann-Bau, remember its incredible journey. It’s a building that has literally risen above challenges. It stands as a testament to resilience and adaptation, a floating building that found its footing.