ADGB Trade Union School, Bauhaus architectural site in Bernau bei Berlin, Germany.
The ADGB Trade Union School is a Bauhaus-era complex built between 1928 and 1930 near Bernau that features a main building with assembly hall and dining facilities alongside five residential wings arranged down a sloping hillside. Each wing was designed to house groups of students in shared dormitory spaces with individual washbasins, large windows, and modern oil heating throughout.
Architects Hannes Meyer and Hans Wittwer designed the school, which was built from 1928 to 1930 and became a center for training trade unionists. Nazi authorities took control of the complex in 1933 and the school ceased its original mission.
The buildings use color schemes and visual distinctions to help people find their way around the complex. These design choices make it easy for visitors to navigate between different sections and understand how the space is organized.
The complex spreads down a hillside, so come prepared for uneven terrain and multiple level changes as you explore the residential wings. The open design with large windows means natural light is excellent for photography and viewing, though interior spaces may have limited access depending on current site conditions.
Each residential wing deliberately houses only ten students per group to create tight-knit communities and stronger personal connections. This design choice directly reflects the educational philosophy that shaped the school's original founding and mission.
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