Himbeerpalast Erlangen – Schulz und Schulz

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Raspberry Palace Erlangen

The former headquarters of the global corporation Siemens is transformed into the Humanities Center of the Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg.

After World War II and the division of Germany, Siemens decided to relocate its corporate… — After World War II and the division of Germany, Siemens decided to relocate its corporate headquarters from the volatile Berlin to the peaceful Erlangen. Siemens Chief Architect Hans Hertlein realized a massive complex from reddish rubble bricks between 1948-53, earning the building the nickname „Raspberry Palace“.

After Siemens vacated the Raspberry Palace and sold it to the Free State of Bavaria,… — After Siemens vacated the Raspberry Palace and sold it to the Free State of Bavaria, the building is now intended for educational purposes. The competition for the establishment of the FAU Humanities Center not only called for the adaptation of the existing structure for its new use but also included the construction of a library in the northern courtyard.

We did not build over the courtyard; instead, we leaned the new library against the… — We did not build over the courtyard; instead, we leaned the new library against the existing structure, resembling a bookshelf.

As a result, the large courtyard can be kept free from construction and transformed into… — As a result, the large courtyard can be kept free from construction and transformed into a ‘hortus conclusus,’ a closed, hidden garden that surprisingly reveals itself upon entering the courtyard.

The garden is publicly accessible through passageways in the north and south, connecting the continuously… — The garden is publicly accessible through passageways in the north and south, connecting the continuously open library with the surrounding urban space. The once closed Siemens headquarters, which was inaccessible to Erlangen residents, is transforming into an urban public space.

Access to the library is through the garden, passing under the bookshelf, and into the… — Access to the library is through the garden, passing under the bookshelf, and into the old building.

The segmented ceilings of the old building are partially removed, and spiral staircases are added… — The segmented ceilings of the old building are partially removed, and spiral staircases are added to connect the eight levels of the stacked library.

The countless former stacked Siemens offices are transformed into a new, fluid space for education.