Editing Interbau (section)

== Background ==
Towards the end of World War II, Berlin was heavily bombed by [[Allies of World War II|the Allies]]. A significant portion of the city was razed. The Hansa neighbourhood was no exception.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore The Interbau - IBA 57 |url=https://www.berlinexperiences.com/featured_experiences/explore-the-interbau-iba-57/ |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Berlin Experiences |language=en-GB}}</ref> 

After the defeat of [[Nazi Germany]], the US, France, and Great Britain controlled the [[West Berlin|Western sectors of Berlin]], while [[East Berlin|the East]] was under the grip of [[the Soviets]]. Both East and West Berlin suffered from housing shortages. For a brief period, the two sectors attempted to work together and rebuild. However global power politics dominated, and the city was divided. Both East and West Berlin saw Berlin's reconstruction as a way to demonstrate the superiority of their values and way of life.<ref>{{Citation |last=Fehling |first=Hermann |title=Pavillon der deutschen Glasindustrie zur Interbau Berlin 1957 |date=1981 |work=Reissbrett 1 |pages=8–11 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-322-91765-2_2 |access-date=2024-04-15 |place=Wiesbaden |publisher=Vieweg+Teubner Verlag |isbn=978-3-528-08679-4 |last2=Gogel |first2=Daniel}}</ref> A new law, LEX IBA, was enacted to allow for planning and design without the previous building codes. In East Berlin, [[Stalinallee]] was created; in the West, Interbau.<ref name=":0" />

Stalinallee was inspired by [[Socialist realism]] and [[Classical architecture|classicism]]. Because the buildings were structured in three tiers, they were often compared to wedding cakes. While the [[facade]]s of the buildings on Stallinalle were uniform, the Soviets emphasised luxurious finishes within the buildings, including [[stucco]] ceilings, [[parquet]] floors, [[double glazing]] on fixtures, and [[central heating]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The former Stalinallee in Berlin |url=https://www.visitberlin.de/en/stalinallee |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=www.visitberlin.de |language=en}}</ref>

The focus of Interbau was buildings made by and for humans. In the words of Rolf Schwedler, the Senator for Building and Housing, "In this regard, the demands and requirements of the modern man are to be taken into full consideration."<ref>{{Citation |title=Wohnblock Hansaviertel |date=2019-06-17 |work=Walter Gropius |pages=164–167 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/9783035617375-064 |access-date=2024-04-15 |publisher=De Gruyter |isbn=978-3-0356-1737-5}}</ref> Unlike Stalinallee, the buildings of Interbau utilised a wide array of colours. While apartments within the builds had similar appointments, the outer structures were unique.{{cn|date=February 2025}} 

Interbau was intended to be a testament to Western values of freedom of expression, where high and low-rise buildings merged seamlessly with the landscape and greenery.{{cn|date=February 2025}}  Thirteen architects participated in the project.<ref name="a268">{{cite web | title=Expo 1957 Berlin | website=Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) | date=16 January 2025 | url=https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/1957-berlin | access-date=5 February 2025}}</ref>

The exhibit opened on 6 July 1957, in West Berlin's Hansa neighbourhood.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The History of Interbau 1957 |url=https://hansaviertel.berlin/en/interbau-1957/geschichte-der-interbau-1957/ |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=hansaviertel.berlin}}</ref>