There are remarkable large buildings in Berlin that were erected in the 1970s during the Cold War as new locations for science, research and culture. neglected for years and now technically obsolete, some of these buildings are now threatened with demolition. These include the "International Congress Center" (ICC, 1973-1979) in Charlottenburg and the former "Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology" in Lichterfelde.r Hygiene and Microbiology" (1969-1974) and the former "Central Animal Laboratories" of Freie Universität Berlin ("Mouse Bunker," 1971-1981).

With their novel spatial forms, materials, and complex functions, these architectures stood for optimism for the future in West Berlin's neighborhoods. They were intended to keep the sealed-off semi-city internationally competitive. Originals - some of which have never been shown before - from the museum's collection paired with artistic works explain their genesis and their building-cultural value as nationally important testimonies to history. In addition, the exhibition refers for the first time to current projects that deal with the future viability of these large buildings. On display are building ideas from renowned Berlin offices that respect the existing buildings as a valuable resource and value the sites as identity-forming for the residents. The exhibition includes about 150 works by around 20 architects, planning offices, photographers and artists.

Architects and artists (selection):

Fehling+Gogel, G+M Hänska, Ralf Schüler & Ursulina Schüler-Witte, b+ (bplus.xyz), Bureau N with Something Fantastic, GRAFT, Neuner & Boeving, Nathan Eddy, Beate Gütschow, Tracey Snelling