The renovation of the Hansa Library is a challenge for customers and employees alike. Because it is also open during construction work.
The fact that the old Hansa Library, which currently has around 45,000 media units, over 90,000 visitors and 200,000 loans a year, free Internet workstations and automatic return machines at the entrance, is being renovated in a way that is appropriate for the preservation of historical monuments is due to the “Hansaviertel Berlin – stadt von morgen” project from the “National Projects of Urban Development 2015” programme. Sabine Weissler, District Councillor for Further Education, Culture, Environment, Nature, Roads and Green Spaces, is pleased that in a joint effort of the Hansaviertel Citizens’ Association, the Mitte District Authority and the Senate Department for Urban Development and Housing, the federal government has succeeded in acquiring funds for the preservation of the building fabric: “The Hansabibliothek is not only an architectural gem with a high quality of living in the Hansaviertel, but also a lively cultural meeting place that enjoys great acceptance.
Comprehensive renovation
The construction work will be carried out in several stages. The 1st phase of the renovation begins in autumn 2017 with gardening and landscaping work inside and outside the library as well as scaffolding for the building. From September to December, further repairs will be carried out through roof waterproofing and plumbing work as well as masonry work.
In two further construction phases in 2018 and 2019, the windows will be sealed, the sanitation system renovated and the cellar drained. This will also make it possible to move a technical room into the basement, which will benefit the children’s library. The toilets will be converted for barrier-free access. The furniture can also be refurbished with funds from the State Monument Office.
The restoration work was planned by adb Architekten, an office specialising in monument preservation and building research. The engineering office Wohn-Wert-Plan is responsible for project management. Thanks to the renovation, the library will fulfil its function in the future, says Mittes Kulturstadträtin Sabine Weissler (Grüne).
translated with deepl
