Vorplatz mit dem Neubau der zwei Landesministerien in Potsdam.

2 Ministries in Potsdam

New building for two state ministries, Potsdam

Sehw has been involved in architecture for the Brandenburg state government for quite a while now.  Already in the nineties, we built the library of the state chancellery in the Heinrich-Mann-Allee. In the beginning of the noughties, we added the information and entrance building for this location. In 2007, we finished several projects for the location of the ministry of Brandenburg in Potsdam on Henning-von-Tresckow-Straße.  The secretaries of state and members of government came and went, Sehw stayed. Now we have been entrusted with the task of integrating a new building in the landmarked ensemble of former barracks as a public private partnership (PPP). In proximity to the early work a new contemporary form has emerged that is kind of like a ministerial shared apartment. The ministries of environment, health, and consumer protection, as well as those of labor, social affairs, and family share a building so that synergy is possible.

The new building mediates between inner city density and the green space of the Havel floodplains. It connects to the Hoffbauerstraße with an austere Prussian façade corresponding to the surrounding context of the streetscape and is differentiated inside. Depending on the perspective of the viewer, it shows a different face.

Innenhof mit aufgeständertem Baukörper als Verbindung zwischen Innen und Außen des Neubaus der zwei Landesministerien in Potsdam.
Blick auf den großen Baukörper des Neubaus der zwei Landesministerien in Potsdam. Vorplatz mit dem Neubau der zwei Landesministerien in Potsdam.

“Prussian-Friedrizian rigour meets complexity and richness of variation”

Not only in the floor plan, but also in its height development, the building design is complex and richly varied. The street side takes on the height of the surrounding buildings, while the building becomes higher inside the block. It crouches to provide views for the areas that lie behind, it picks itself up in order for one to pass under it. The interior of the building is characterized by the clear organizational structure of the administrative areas, but again and again it breaks through seriality and leaves room for communication and exchange. The common areas with meeting room and library are easily accessible on the ground floor. Colors and materials such as earth tones, wooden surfaces, and glass highlight the positive, warm atmosphere of the building as well as the openness and proximity of the ministries. The new building was built as a role model for construction in Brandenburg and planned in accordance with the energy standards of low-energy construction using solar energy as a renewable energy source.

zweigeschossiger Luftraum mit hölzerner Freitreppe und grünen Farbakzenten des Neubaus der zwei Landesministerien in Potsdam.
zweigeschossiger Luftraum mit hölzerner Freitreppe und grünen Farbakzenten des Neubaus der zwei Landesministerien in Potsdam. Ausblick aus dem Foyer in den Innenhof des Neubaus der zwei Landesministerien in Potsdam.
Lageplan des Neubaus der zwei Landesministerien in Potsdam.
Schnitt des Neubaus der zwei Landesministerien in Potsdam.

  • Project type

    New construction

  • Purpose

    Administration

  • GFA

    16,400 m²

  • Project status

    Completed

  • Period

    2012 – 2015

  • Procurement

    Public tendering process

  • Awards

    Contract awarded

  • Construction cost

    28,000,000 €

  • Service phases

    1 – 5  & 8 (HOAI)

  • Project team

    Mark Wachendorfer
    Sandra Schober

  • Cooperation

    delusearchitects
    GKK