The “Rostlaube” building complex was opened on February 13, 1973, on Habelschwerdter Allee 45. The building complex for the humanities subjects was designed by Parisian architects Georges Candilis, Alexis Josic, and Shadrach Woods. Clad in Corten steel, the structure was modeled after a growing city. University life was to expand from the three central corridors or “streets” J, K, and L to encourage communication between colleagues from different disciplines.

Between 2001 and 2007 the landmarked building received a new outer skin made of bronze during construction of the Philological Library (nicknamed “The Berlin Brain”), but with its colorful carpeting and doors, inner courtyards and small gardens, niches and spiral staircases, its character remains similar to that when it was opened fifty years ago.

• Website of the Rostlaube and Silberlaube (in German)
• Article in campus.leben about fifty years of the Rostlaube (in German)