
Renovate don’t Speculate, Plakat, © Grafik: TU Berlin, 2025
Renovate, don’t Speculate – Exhibition and Panel Discussion on Sustainable Approaches to Existing Buildings
July 14–18, 2025 at BHROX bauhaus reuse on Ernst-Reuter-Platz, Berlin
Existing buildings play a key role in socially and climate-just urban development. However, demolition and new construction still dominate practice in many places—often at the expense of resources, historical fabric, and affordable housing. With the event series Renovate, don’t Speculate, BHROX bauhaus reuse is making a statement from July 14 to 18, 2025 in support of an alternative building culture focused on renovation, transformation, and preservation.
At the heart of the series are the following questions:
How can we achieve a sustainable approach to existing buildings?
What political and technical frameworks are needed?
And why is renovation also a social issue?
Over the course of five days, the series combines an exhibition with public panel discussions and a guided tour in cooperation with the Technical University of Berlin.
Event Program Overview:
Monday, July 14, 2025 | from 5:00 PM
Panel Discussion: How can necessary renovations and conversions succeed?
With experts from trades, planning, and the construction industry
Guests:
David Garnczarek (Sto SE & Co.)
Dr. Martin Peters (Berlin Chamber of Crafts)
Anna-Lena Rischer (Baufachfrauen Berlin)
Nina Peters (Bauhaus Erde / Urbane Praxis e.V.)
Dr. Friso Zimmermann (Fuchs & Eule – Energy Experts)
Thursday, July 17, 2025 | from 5:00 PM
Panel Discussion: Housing as a fundamental right – Why are renovation and conversion necessary?
Focus topics: social justice, rent policy, and development of existing buildings
Guests:
Wibke Werner (Berlin Tenants’ Association)
Mario Hilgenfeld (BBU – Association of Berlin-Brandenburg Housing Companies)
Tim Lenau (Alliance Against Displacement and Rent Madness)
Representative from HouseEurope, Stadt und Land (invited)
Friday, July 18, 2025 | All Day
IFA Tour & Finissage
Guided tour with the Institute of Architecture (IFA), TU Berlin
Followed by: Closing of the exhibition with an open finissage
Location:
BHROX bauhaus reuse
Ernst-Reuter-Platz, Berlin (central island of Straße des 17. Juni)
Admission is free.
All events are open to the public; no registration is required.