Facilities @ Management

2.2 The Institution Bauakademie in the Course of Time and Its Current Potential for Change

Karin Albert

If the term “Bauakademie” is used in Germany and far beyond the country’s borders, the focus is immediately on the building of the same name and usually also on the seemingly never-ending discussion about its re-construction at “Schinkel Platz” in Berlin, Germany.

In order to make progress here, it is worth taking a brief look at the past and the purpose for which this building was built. The institution of the Bauakademie is quite wrongly lost sight of in the current debate. However, the question arises as to whether such an institution can be used to solve today’s global problems, such as climate change, energy transition and solving the housing issue, all of which are linked to construction as a social task and could make a significant contribution. But first, let’s look back.

The relocation of the Bauakademie to the current building is not a style of today, but it began during Schinkel’s lifetime. Harald Bodenschatz attributes this to two aspects: on the one hand, to the separation of the building from the purpose of its use and, on the other hand, to the connection of the building with its spiritual creator.¹

Both aspects still have an effect today. The discussion about the reconstruction of the building was and is conducted without a clear idea of its future use. The recommendation of the Budget Committee of the “German Bundestag” of 10 November 2016 on the provision ...