In response to Berlin's rapidly growing population and the corresponding demand for new housing, there is an urgent need to develop ecologically and socially sustainable strategies for urban expansion. Since reunification, urban policies—particularly in East Berlin—have frequently prioritized replacing aging prefabricated housing with new buildings, sparking debate around the loss of historic structures and communities.
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The architectural project PLATTE+ explores an alternative approach: enhancing the quality and functionality of existing prefabricated housing estates, rather than replacing them. Focusing on the WHH GT 84/85 towers in Ernst-Thälmann-Park and a WBS 70 housing block in Hellersdorf, the project conducted an in-depth analysis of the structural conditions and daily lives of residents. The goal was to develop improvements from within, revitalizing the spaces without demolishing or substantially altering the original structures.
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This resident-centered approach began with interviews, inviting residents to express their needs, wishes, and dreams for their living spaces. The insights gathered informed the project’s design proposals, which prioritized enhancements that respect the existing architecture while enriching the residents’ quality of life.
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The resulting designs were showcased in a group exhibition at Kunstraum Potsdamer Straße, sparking dialogue on alternatives to demolition for Berlin’s prefabricated housing and highlighting the potential of these structures to evolve in step with the city’s growth.