Autobahnüberbauung Schlangenbader Straße, Residential complex over highway in Wilmersdorf, Germany
The Schlangenbader Strasse residential complex is a housing development built directly over a major Berlin city highway, creating an urban landmark visible from many directions. The structure houses thousands of apartments in varying sizes and includes extensive parking facilities built into its foundation.
The complex was built in the mid-1970s through early 1980s as an innovative response to Berlin's housing shortage at the time. Construction over an active thoroughfare required new engineering approaches that influenced how the city addressed its residential needs.
The street name references the road running beneath, which visitors can observe as part of the building's relationship with its urban surroundings. The complex shows how post-war planners addressed housing shortages by building upward over existing infrastructure.
The building is easily accessible from the surrounding streets and is well-connected to public transportation and nearby shops. Keep in mind this is private residential property, so access to interior areas may be restricted for visitors.
The structure uses a hollow box design that absorbs vibrations from the traffic below, protecting residents from noise and shaking. This was groundbreaking engineering at the time, as building large residential blocks directly over busy highways was rarely attempted before this project.
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