Concepts of pride, brand, and communication: architecture, urban design, and knowledge production: Berlin from 1810 to 2010

Abstract

Embedding universities and research institutions in the urban fabric and deliberate architectural statements are gaining in importance. In an increasingly knowledge-orientated economy, architectural concepts aim to stimulate general curiosity about knowledge production and boost scientific-economic interaction. It is generally accepted that the built environment plays an important role in facilitating communication and knowledge flows, but little research has been invested into better understanding the 'how' and 'why'. With four case studies-considering a wide spectrum of different spatial types of scholarly institutions in Berlin: the centrally located Humboldt University and the Berlin University of Technology, and the Free University and the Adlershof Campus situated on the periphery-this paper reviews how each has specifically intended to intensify knowledge flows in the city and beyond. The historical analysis shows that these aims have always been important for the planning and realisation of universities in Berlin and have had a central impact on the formation of Berlin's urban identity over the last 200 years.

The Library of the Free University of Berlin. Environmental Friendliness as a Response to Modern Challenges

“…The services of the library are available to all residents of the city. (Brake & Kress, 2011). The need for a library card arises only when the reader wants to take a book home or use the Internet.…”