The International Building Exhibition (Interbau) opened on July 6, 1957, in West Berlin's Hansa neighborhood.[1] Situated in a park, Interbau showcased an array of designs by the foremost Western architects from 14 countries. It was to be a testament to Western values of freedom of expression where high and low-rise buildings merged seamlessly with the landscape and greenery.
Towards the end of WWII, Berlin was heavily bombed by the Allies. A significant portion of the city was razed. The Hansa neighborhood was no exception.[2] Some argued that parts of the cities infrastructure could be restored and preserved rather than rebuilt from ground up.
After the defeat of Nazi Germany the US, France and Great Britain controlled the Western sectors; while the East was under the grip of the Soviets. Both East and West Berlin suffered from housing shortages. For a brief period, the two sectors attempted to work together and rebuild. But, global power politics dominated and the city was divided. Both East and West Berlin saw Berlins reconstruction as a way to demonstrate the superiority of their values and way of life.[3] A new law, LEX IBA was enacted to allow for planning and design without the previous building codes. In East Berlin, Stalinallee was created; in the West, Interbau.[1]
Stalinallee was inspired by Socialist realism and classicism. Because the buildings were structured in three tiers, they were often compared to wedding cakes. While the facade of the buildings on Stallinalle were uniform, the Soviets emphasized luxurious finishes within the buildings including stucco ceilings, parquet floors, double glazing on fixtures, and central heating.[4]
The focus Interbau was made by and for humans. In the words of Rolf Schwedler, the Senator for Building and Housing, "In this regard, the demands and requirements of the modern man are to be taken into full consideration."[5] Unlike Stalinallee, the buildings of Interbau utilized a wide array of colors. While apartments within the builds had similar appointments, the outer structures were unique.
More than 50 architects, from around the world (excluding soviet occupied territories in Eastern Europe), were involved. By including architects from so many countries, West Berlin communicated that Interbau was not only German, it was multicultural drawing inspiration from around the world. Some of the more notable architects who worked on Interbau include Le Corbusier, Oscar Neimeyer, Arne Jacobsen, Alvar Aalto, and Walter Gropius.
In addition to the architecture, careful attention was given to landscaping. Led by Walter Rossow, Interbau could live up to its vision of "People in a green metropolis" only by careful, integrated landscape design. In 1955, just two years before the opening of the exhibit, Rossow’s article “Green Spaces in the Hansaviertel” laid out the plan for landscaping Intebau. In 1956 work began on Interbau's green spaces.[6]
Among the 601 apartment complexes and additional amenities, five buildings stand out. These buildings include Oscar Niemeyer-Haus, Walter Gropius-Haus, Alvar Aalto-Haus, Corbusierhaus, and Congress Hall.
The Walter Gropius House was designed by Walter Gropius and Wils Ebert. The structure features pops of bright colors on the balconies and entrances. The balconies line the building in a checkered fashion. The house itself is a concaved structure with narrow sides. Like many other buildings in Interbau, the Gropius and Ebert design sought to ensure no visible line between the residential area and the park.[7]
Corbusierhaus was intended to be a remodel of the Unite d'Habitation in Milan. The building was intended to be a "city in a city". Its size, however, caused some commotion. In contrast to other billing Courbusierhaus included 530 apartments and 17 stories.[8]
Designed by a prominent Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer Haus features 78 apartments with distinct blue and yellow balconies. The building is supported by v-shaped concrete pillars. Like many other buildings in Interbau, the apartment complex is lined with windows, allowing nature into people's homes.[9]
Alvar Aalto-Haus designed by a leading Finnish architect was eight stories high and contained 78 apartments. To bring nature into the home, each apartment featured a large patio. Windows were included on all sides of the building. Additionally, the building bends towards the west and opens towards the east allowing all apartments to capture natural light. [10]
Congress Hall, also known as the House of World Cultures, was designed by American architect Hugh Stubbins as a gift from the United States. The building was constructed on an artificial mound so that it could be seen from East Berlin. After the exhibition ended, Congress Hall was gifted to the city of Berlin. The building acted as a center for discussion of international contemporary arts, focusing on non-European cultures and societies. Unfortunately on May 21, 1980, the structure collapsed. The building has since been reconstructed in its original style.[11]
60 years after its opening Interbau the mission is no longer to promote Western values of freedom. The exhibit is an important example of modernism, a successful integration of nature into the living space. While some of the individual buildings have been recognized, the community as a whole and the successful collaboration of notable architects have not been given the same prominent recognition. Although residential, the area is available for tourism and study.
Media related to Interbau 1957 at Wikimedia Commons
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