After 16 years, the Staatsbibliothek Unter den Linden in Berlin has now been extensively renovated and extended. The Stuttgart-based firm hg merz was responsible for the project. After 16 years of lengthy conversion and renovation processes and 470 million euros spent, the Berlin State Library Unter den Linden opened digitally last Monday. This means that one of Berlin’s largest construction projects […]

After 16 years, the Staatsbibliothek Unter den Linden in Berlin has now been extensively renovated and extended. The Stuttgart-based firm hg merz was responsible for the project.

After 16 years of lengthy conversion and renovation processes and 470 million euros spent, the Berlin State Library Unter den Linden opened digitally last Monday. This marks the completion of one of Berlin’s largest construction projects. Founded in 1661, the research institution is considered one of the most important libraries in the world and is the largest academic library in the German-speaking world. Due to its importance, the monumental building has been adapted to the requirements of the 21st century since 2005 while it has remained in operation. Originally, the work on the 100,000 square meters of floor space was not due to be completed until 2012 and then 2016.

The research library, which was badly damaged during the Second World War and rebuilt during the GDR era, proved to be in greater need of renovation than originally assumed. For example, new supports had to be installed in the building to secure the old, listed concrete arches of the large dome. The overall concept for the general refurbishment and extension of Unter den Linden was the brainchild of Stuttgart star architect hg merz, who also modernized the State Opera diagonally opposite. In 2000, he won first prize in a Europe-wide competition. Individual construction tasks, such as the lighting concept or the material and color concept, were solved by hg merz in collaboration with artistic and technical offices.

The best-known feature of the old building, which has been renovated in line with its listed status, is the implanted glass cube of the central reading room, which opened in 2012. Now, after more than 70 years, it is once again accessible along the historical axis through the building complex via the entrance hall, fountain courtyard and the elegant main staircase and vestibule. The original spatial concept can now be experienced again. The reconstruction of the barrel vault in the main hall also restores the original cubature of the room.

In the reading room itself, the bright orange carpet has been renewed. The special reading rooms have also been redesigned and modernized: dark wooden shelves surround the books on the walls, with work areas in between whose linoleum table tops pick up the color of the carpet.
“We now have great rooms to complement our great collections,” says a delighted General Director Barbara Schneider-Kempf. The collections, which have grown over 360 years – including four pieces of world documentary heritage by Beethoven, Bach and Luther – are supplemented by around 100,000 media and extensive digital materials every year. The collection currently comprises more than 33 million different items, including 12 million books, autographs, printed music, magazines and newspapers as well as maps, globes and bequests.

The 620 workstations in the seven reading rooms currently have to remain empty. Due to the coronavirus, students and academics can only explore the redesigned library digitally for the time being. Important: From February onwards, lending operations will be restricted.

Speaking of libraries and reading material: discover the new library in Gundelsheim by Schlicht Lamprecht Architekten.

One white giant after another is falling. Two of the tower blocks of the former “Hochheide residential park” in Duisburg have already been demolished. A third will follow this year. The reason for this is that a park with various open spaces for meeting places, community, experiencing nature, sport and exercise is to be created instead. Read more about the new plans for Duisburg Hochheide here.

One white giant after another is falling. Two of the tower blocks of the former “Hochheide residential park” in Duisburg have already been demolished. A third will follow this year. The reason for this is that a park with various open spaces for meeting places, community, experiencing nature, sport and exercise is to be created instead. Read more about the new plans for Duisburg Hochheide here.

The Weiße Riesen Duisburg high-rise quarter is located in the Hochheide district of Duisburg. It will soon be replaced by a new city park. A recent decision by the Budget Committee in the German Bundestag has made this possible. This is because the federal government is investing almost 1.7 million euros in the new green space, known as the Hochheide City Park, through the “Adapting urban spaces to climate change” funding program.

The federal program thus shows its appreciation for the Stadtpark project. The planning is also regarded as a model for climate-friendly reuse of urban demolition sites. Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) sees the financial support for Duisburg Hochheide as an important sign: “The political decisions in Berlin often seem very abstract to citizens, despite their great significance for their everyday lives. This project is an example of how the federal government directly promotes and supports municipalities like Duisburg. In this way, we are not only improving the quality of life in the neighborhood, but also increasing trust in politics.”

“The demolition of the white giants is good,” says Duisburg Green Party MP Felix Banascak, “but it alone does not create a liveable public space.”

Parliamentary State Secretary Mahmut Özdemir (SPD) grew up between the White Giants in Duisburg Hochheide. He is also looking forward to the planning: “We have promised the people of Duisburg that we will use public money to eliminate the building sins of private developers. We are continuing along this path.”

The federal funding enables the planning of a multifunctional community park. It is to become a place of recreation, a meeting place and a sports area for citizens. In addition, Duisburg Hochheide will provide added social and ecological value. The resulting green space will create a better coexistence between people and (urban) nature. In this context, Mahmut Özdemir refers, for example, to the planned flood protection in the event of heavy rainfall.

The new open space is divided into three zones.

1. “Destination Sport”: An active area with a wide range of play and sports areas complements the lively district center in the west.
2. “Doing things together”: A community area is being created in the middle. Among other things, areas for gardening and open spaces for shared use by daycare centers are planned here.
3. “Destination Park”: A recreational area with meadows, a natural pond and environmental education facilities is being created in the east. This green neighborhood park also improves the ecology by linking adjacent biotopes. In addition, the connection to the cycle path on Husemanstraße creates a higher-level network.

The so-called Red Path will remain the main connection. It will be renovated and become part of a new path system. Electronic systems, such as the park lighting, will be powered by solar energy. The park is also designed to be barrier-free and attractive for young and old alike. In addition, only native trees and shrubs are planned. The emerging Hochheide city park is therefore an important impetus for development – both for Duisburg Hochheide and the neighboring urban areas. Until 2026, we can watch a new district center gradually grow here.

Read more about the new residential area “6-Seen-Wedau – Wohnen am Wasser” in Duisburg – currently the largest urban development project in North Rhine-Westphalia and the longest climate wall in the world.