The entire headquarters of the Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe (German for St. John’s Accident Assistance) is to be restructured at its traditional base in Berlin Mitte. The existing buildings are too small – despite sublets in the neighborhood. The workforce is growing. The pandemic has left its mark and closer cooperation and restructuring of all departments is intended to strengthen everyone’s self-image as part of one of Germany’s most important aid organizations. The Johanniter’s federal office in the German capital is also to function as a meeting point for the organizations in the federal states and as a point of contact for the public.
PPAG architects’ proposal features a contemporary office building. Staircases from the outside create terraces and open spaces on all levels. The building is a green terrace landscape in the city. On the ground floor there is an open conference area for events organized by the Johanniter or external users. A café & bistro on the street offers opportunities for initial contact.
Inside, the potential of the terracing is utilized. A system of internal voids creates centrally lit and ventilated areas around which open and closed workstations are arranged. Thus, the building is criss-crossed by inner centers with different focuses that informally bring together users with different interests. The appropriate spatial structure is a prerequisite for functioning interaction.
