BERLIN
WITH ARCH. HAGAR ABIRI
DAILY TIMETABLE
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 7
8:30 - Meeting Friedrichstraß S/ U Station
9:30 - Urban Planning Department
11:30 - AREA
12:30 - Lunch
14:30 - Tegel Project
16:30 - Futurium
19:30 - Group Dinner near Piano See
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8
8:30 - Meeting Friedrichstraß S/ U Station
9:00 - Am Tacheles (Herzog & de Meuron)
11:30 - Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (DENA)
13:00 - Lunch
14:30 - Zukunftsorte Berlin
17:00 - Holzmarkt
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 9
8:30 - Meeting Friedrichstraß S/ U Station
9:30 - Atelier Gardens (MVRDV)
11:30 - EUREF
13:00 - Group Lunch BEBA
14:30 - Neue Nationalgalerie
16:30 - Mauer park + Parting words
FREE-TIME RECOMMENDATIONS & CONTACT
Dear colleagues,
Thank you for being part of this Berlin tour and for the shared curiosity, questions, and conversations along the way. Berlin is a layered and constantly evolving city — complex, sometimes contradictory, and always revealing something new. Through this program, the aim was to offer a deeper look into the political, social, and ecological planning processes that shape the city beyond what is immediately visible. Of course, a city like Berlin cannot be understood in just a few days. There are many additional places, initiatives, and spatial stories that are worth discovering independently — at your own pace and through your own perspective.For those who wish to continue exploring, a selection of further sites and projects are shared below— places that reflect different approaches to sustainability, adaptive reuse, community-driven development, and contemporary urban life.Berlin rewards slow observation.
Keep looking.
Warm regards,
Hagar A.
Hagar Abiri
HAA&D
.and The City
SPONGE CITY
Berlin is increasingly moving toward a “sponge city” approach. Rainwater is not simply sent awaythrough the sewer system; it is retained and managed locally. Depending on the site, water can bestored, reused, evaporated by vegetation, or infiltrated into the ground. The goal is to reduce floodrisk, support urban greenery and improve the microclimate.
What to look for: green roofs • rainwater retention • permeable surfaces • infiltration areas •
rainwater reuse • planted courtyards and streets.
EXPLORE ALL PROJECTS ON A MAP IN THE BERLINER REGENWASSERAGENTUR
Selected Projects:
- Physik Institut, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Public building)
>>> View Address in Google Maps
- Wohnquartier-52 Grad-nord, (housing project)
>>> View Address in Google Maps
COMMUNITY GARDENING
A community garden and urban agriculture initiative in Berlin-Wedding. Himmelbeet combines local food production, biodiversity, environmental education and citizen participation. The organisation currently operates the Himmelbeet garden on Gartenstraße and the ElisaBeet teaching garden on
Wollankstraße.
You can enjoy the Cafe. Please don't pick fruits/ vegetables as all the boxes are privately owned.
>>> View Address in Google Maps
ADAPTIVE REUSE + COMMUNITY
A distinctive mixed-use terraced building in Wedding that combines creative workspaces, food, culture, community activity and an urban garden. The building’s south-facing terraces connect architecture and greenery, turning outdoor space into an active part of the project.
If the restaurant is open you can enjoy plant base meal and visit the garden - not much to see from the outside.
>>> View Address in Google Maps
>>> Register to a free event September 11 HERE
BERLIN MODERNISM HOUSING ESTATES (social housing)
The Berlin Modernism Housing Estates are a landmark of the housing reform movement of the early
20th century. The original six estates were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008.
Together they show how urban planning, architecture, landscape design, hygiene and new social
standards were combined to improve housing and living conditions. They are still relevant today after all those years and most are in good liveable condition.
EXPLORE ALL UNESCO MODERNISM HOUSING - INTERACTIVE MAP
The projects:
Linear / U-shaped blocks, bright façades, generous courtyards and a strong
relationship between apartment standards and collective open space.
- Weiße Stadt (White City)
Clear modernist geometry, bright façades and distinctive urban composition; a
good stop for discussing standardisation and housing reform.
- Hufeisensiedlung (Horseshoe Estate)
The famous horseshoe-shaped block and landscape structure; a strong example
of how large-scale housing can be paired with green space.
Garden-city principles and especially expressive colour; one of the clearest
examples of the landscape-oriented side of Berlin modernism.
Modernist housing at larger scale, with a distinctive urban figure and varied
architectural language.
Housing and open-space design around Schillerpark;
Another known Project:
- The Corbusier House (Unité d'Habitation) in Berlin
PRACTICAL VISITOR NOTES
RESIDENTIAL AREAS
Keep groups small where possible. Stay on public routes and avoid
entering private courtyards, gardens or building entrances unless
explicitly invited.
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Treat gardens and social spaces as living neighbourhood
infrastructure, not as exhibition objects. Check access rules before
arriving.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Focus on architecture and public space; avoid photographing
residents through windows or in private areas & people.
CHECK BEFORE GOING
Opening hours, guided visits and access conditions can change. Use
the QR/link on the relevant page shortly before visiting.
For jobs and internships please visit: VACANCIES
For general inquiries please contact: office[at]hagarabiri.com
For PR inquiries please contact: pr[at]hagarabiri.com