The new building consists of two architectural parts. First, a flat and long base connects the Alt-Moabit-Strasse with the deeper located Ingeborg-Drewitz-Allee. It’s roof becomes a esplanade with paths, access- and pedestrian streets as well as green areas which are designed in round shaped geometries. Second element is a solid block with a big central court. The edges of the building are pulled up, allowing the landsacpe and the streets flow into and through the building. As a consequence of the opened up edges, the building seems light and reinforces the idea of two juxtaposed architectural elements.
The typology of the building is a courtyard house which is a typical architectural typology of Berlin. The interior court does not only open up to the sky but also to its four edges. Four bridges on different levels cross the courtyard.
The program of the ministry can be divided in three functions. The outer ring of the building is equipped with two-sided offices (from the corridor) which either open up to the courtyard or to the exterior of the building. They can flexibly be used as either open plan or cell offices. Public functions such as meeting rooms, the cafeteria or the library are placed in the bridges which can also be used as shortcuts between the floors. The bridges themselves are connected to each other by spiral staircases. The roofs of the bridges serve as terraces and areas for recreation, creating spatial qualities other than the requested program. Special uses, technical rooms, delivery and parking are placed within the base. Depending on the need of daylight of the different uses, courtyards are inserted to bring natural light to the diverse functions within the base.
The load bearing structure of the building is placed within the facade, creating spatially flexible rooms. The bridges are carried by steel girders.
Future extensions will be located in the base. Extensions can be added to each side of the building which will be directly connected to the base. The extensions will be lit through new courtyards or from the external facades of the base.