The exhibition shows examples of community building from Berlin

Prague - The most interesting examples of architectural projects by several Berlin creators and studios that focus on smaller projects and close contact with clients are showcased in a new exhibition at the Kvalitář gallery in Senovážné náměstí. It is titled Baugruppe ist super! with the subtitle Inspiration from Berlin.
    The title of the exhibition and the principle of building baugruppe (from the German "bauen" - to build and "gruppe" - group) denote a method of building and living based on the individual initiative of small builders and architects. A direct agreement between the architect and the group usually results in an urban residential building tailored to the individual needs of users and their shared vision of common space and the functions of the house. In Berlin, over the last ten years, more than 3000 apartments and over 200 houses have been created based on the baugruppe principle, say the curators of the exhibition, Helena Doudová and Marek Kopeć.
    The exhibition focuses on experimental projects that have developed new solutions for residential buildings in gaps and on plots that are difficult and seemingly uninteresting for developers. This model is similarly widespread in Freiburg (1900 apartments) and Hamburg (over 1600 apartments). The R 50 - cohousing project has been nominated for the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Award 2015.
    "The utilization of vacant building plots will support the creation of a compact and efficient city, which corresponds to modern goals of urban planning," stated architect Vladimír Fialka from the Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital City of Prague, which co-organizes the exhibition. According to him, members of the baugruppe are often engaged individuals concerned about their environment, which creates a high-quality neighborhood and a stable social environment.
    The exhibition showcases examples of baugruppe projects by renowned architects BARarchitekten, fatkoehl Architekten, Heide & Von Beckerath, ifau and Jesko Fezer, Kaden + Partner, and zanderrotharchitekten. It will run until March 20 and will also feature lectures by Berlin architects and a workshop led by German instructors.