Detail page - Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz

The urgently needed basic refurbishment of the "Bücherschiff" at the Kulturforum can begin. The building will close from 2030. Logistically complex relocations and preparatory measures, such as the remediation of the so-called book tower, in which more than half of the building's book collection is stored, will have to take place in preparation for the main project, which will then begin.

Known as the "Bücherschiff", the Potsdamer Straße building, which houses the State Library and the Ibero-American Institute, is one of the most important and largest cultural buildings in Germany. It was built between 1967 and 1978 according to plans by the philharmonic architect Hans Scharoun with the assistance of Edgar Wisniewski. The building with its famous terraced reading landscape, also known from Wim Wenders' film "The Sky Over Berlin", is a listed building. The lighting architecture with its shed roof, round skylights and spherical lights is unique. Works of art such as the colourful glass windows by Alexander Camaro and the natural stone floor of the foyer designed by Fritz Reuter are also integrated into the architecture.

After more than 40 years of intensive use, the building fabric and almost all the technical systems of the listed building need to be completely renovated. This will also make the building significantly more energy efficient. The building will also be remodelled into a modern, future-oriented and even more visitor-friendly library. This includes different types of study zones, more common areas and catering facilities. The design by gmp Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner also envisages opening up the building towards Potsdamer Platz, including a new entrance on the east side of the building.

The urgency of the general refurbishment exists for various reasons. The library building, which dates back to the 1960s and 1970s, was, as was often the case at the time, built using various materials containing harmful substances. Asbestos-containing building materials were therefore removed from parts of the building several years ago. However, due to the special geometry of the rooms, it is only possible to remove harmful substances from the reading room ceilings when the building is closed. The poor structural and technical condition of the building is also visible in many other places. Technical faults or water damage occur regularly, meaning that the renewal of the technical systems can no longer be postponed. Otherwise, the building could be permanently closed.

As part of the programme, the building will also be made significantly more sustainable. Key aspects of this are the energy optimisation of the technical systems and the use of renewable energies. For example, geothermal energy will be used in future and the waste heat from the IT server rooms will be utilised. Photovoltaics will be installed where this is possible in terms of statics and monument protection.

The library will also be designed as a contemporary, open-plan space: The foyer will be extended in the eastern part of the building by converting the former open-plan office into an area accessible to the public. A new entrance on the east side of the foyer will provide direct access from Marlene-Dietrich-Platz. A cafeteria for 140 guests will be created next to it, as well as reading terraces with a view of the water area located there. This opening takes account of the current urban planning situation. In addition to the traditional reading room and group study rooms, new event rooms, workshop areas and informal work islands will offer a variety of spatial options.

The Staatsbibliothek Haus Potsdamer Straße is Hans Scharoun's largest building: with a gross floor area of around 114,000 square metres, the building is roughly twice as large as the Neue Nationalgalerie, the Philharmonie Berlin and berlin modern, which is currently under construction, put together. Due to the complexity of the project and the high logistical requirements, the building is expected to remain closed for around eleven years, until 2041.

Extensive preparatory measures will take place before the museum closes in 2030: Around 5.4 million books will be distributed from the stacks in the book tower and the basement floors as well as the open stacks area to four other locations using complex relocation logistics. Accommodation must also be provided for around 650 employees during the construction period. To this end, other locations of the State Library will be upgraded and a new replacement building will be erected on Tiergartenstraße. The Ibero-American Institute will continue to operate in this replacement building and also offer a limited number of reading places there. During the entire construction period, all books from the State Library will remain available to readers via the lending desk in the Unter den Linden building.

Funds totalling around 1.1 billion euros have been approved for the entire project. An additional 350 million euros were calculated for risks and construction price increases. The funds include the costs for preparing the alternative locations, including the construction of the new replacement building on Tiergartenstraße, the clearing of the various building components, the remediation of the book tower, the redesign of the library into a contemporary, barrier-free and sustainable library, taking into account all the requirements of monument protection and the preparation of the outdoor areas.

gmp - Architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners is responsible for planning the basic refurbishment. The firm won an international realisation competition in 2019. The project is being realised under the direction of the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR). The client is the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK).

Further information

• https://staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/
• https://www.iai.spk-berlin.de/
• https://www.gmp.de/de/
• https://blog.sbb.berlin/buecherschiff/
• www.bbr.bund.de/staatsbibliothek-potsdamer-strasse

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