Freie Universität Berlin – Clinic for Horses

The Clinic for Horses is part of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at Freie Universität Berlin and is located next to the Small Animal Clinic on the site of the former Düppel manor on the southwestern outskirts of Berlin adjacent to a protected landscape. The design of the Berlin architects Heinrichs and Wermund from 1977 reacted with the arrangement of the buildings to the original courtyard character of the estate, of which the listed administration building, the former distillery used as dean's office and the former riding hall of the manor converted into a library are preserved. The Clinic for Horses consists of three buildings, the clinic building with a polygonal Auditorium docked to the side and two associated stable buildings as well as a lunging hall. Between the clinic building and the adjoining stable, there is a roofed trot up section with tartan paving.

The architectural language of the 1970s with exposed concrete, red clinker brick and aluminium profiles and panels anodised in bronze concrete was strengthened and interpreted in modern detail. Clarifying longitudinal and transverse references improve orientation in the building and determine the reorganisation of the individual clinic areas. Colour accents derived from the original colour scheme emphasise the new structure. The structural order remains unchanged, the functional assignments make clever use of the different floor heights within the ground floor and the upper floor.

The architects adapted the clinic and teaching buildings to current medical requirements. Specifically assigned usage areas with their own entrances organise the interaction between modern teaching and research as well as intensive clinical care for the horses of private owners. The students acquire valuable practice in the ongoing operation of the clinic.

Brief
Reconstruction of Clinic for Horses with a Auditorium

Time
2009 - 2019

Usable area
5.544 sqm

Gross area
7.042 sqm

Client
Free University of Berlin

Team
Christian Huber, Joachim Staudt, Mona Steinke,
Aida Conde, Jan Schombara