The Floating University Berlin, situated near Tempelhof Airport, is an experimental learning site that has been operating since 2018. Initially funded by the German Federal Cultural Foundation as part of the Bauhaus centenary celebrations, it was conceived by Raumlabor Berlin as a temporary campus on a large rainwater retention basin. The site is designed to foster cross-disciplinary learning and education, particularly in areas with little overlap such as urban development and dance, water management and fine arts.
The campus, built by students and teachers from various universities, features learning spaces, workshops, an auditorium, and a laboratory tower for experimental water filtration systems. It hosts a variety of programs including artist panels, curatorial events, "Kids Uni," and movement workshops. The organization also publishes a community newspaper, the reeder.
Despite its innovative approach, the Floating University is currently facing financial challenges, leading to a reduction in its activities. The site is now in "low power mode," opening only for specific events, as the organization relies heavily on public sector endowments to fund its infrastructure and programs.
The Floating University has participated in international events such as the Venice Architecture Biennale, where it reconstructed part of its structure to showcase its experimental learning model. The organization continues to engage local and international communities in discussions on urban processes and sustainable practices, albeit on a more limited scale due to its current financial constraints.