Main building of the Humboldt University of Berlin - Redesign of two atriums

Berlin, Germany

Architects: SSP Rüthnick Architekten

Location: Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany
Year: 2011

The core building of the present main building of the Humboldt Universität was built in 1748-49 until 1766 as a Palace for the Prince Heinrich of Prussia. Since the year 1809 the building has been the headquarters of the University founded by Wilhelm von Humboldt. Between 1913 and 1920, the former royal palace was expanded to two wings in the North, which led to the current H-shape of the building.

At the junction of the old royal palace and the extension buildings were two courtyards.In 2004 and 2011 the courtyards were refurbished and redesigned for university use, according to the monument in collaboration with the Technical Department of the University. Both courtyards were given a canopy with a guyed, light steel and glass construction. The Eastern courtyard was transformed in 2007 from a storage space in a multifunctional exhibition and event Hall. The Western Atrium houses since 2011 the Central enrolment authority of the University (One-Stop-Agency) with information desk and several counselling courses for students. The large circular acoustic lights below the glass roof are an optical and acoustical element.