FAQ Construction Project at WZB (Status: May 2018)

This information is continuously updated. We kindly ask you for your understanding that in the light of such complex plans we may not be able to answer all your questions in full detail.

Where can I find more details to the plans of the extension?

Ursula Noack has presented more details about the extension during the Academic Council (AC) on April, 17. You will find the presentation including a timetable here. The presentation on the Windergarden in the AC on May, 8, you will find here.

When will there be an information session about the construction work?

The information session will be held on Monday, May 28, 2018, at 10:00 am in Room A 300.

When will the construction work begin?

A precise start date can only be announced when the construction firms have been contracted. The procurement procedures for shell construction are almost complete. According to current plans, construction is expected to begin in July 2018.

When will the new offices in building part E become available?

Depending on the progress of the construction work, the new offices are expected to be ready in early 2020.

Who will use the new offices?

Currently, we have not finalized our plans as to which groups will move into the new offices. A plan on the use of the space will be drafted in 2019.

Who will be directly affected by noise and dust?

Noise and dust are caused primarily because the former official residence on the ground floor of building E is gutted and new load-bearing walls are built. As a consequence, staff and guests working in building part E (“Basilica”) and the adjacent offices will not be able to use their office for a period of at least three to four months, or can use them to a limited extent only.

Will hearing protection be necessary?

Hearing protection will be provided, just to be on the safe side.

What will happen to the parent-child room?

The parent-child room will remain at its present location. It will not be possible, however, to keep the room silent at all times.

Will the restrooms and kitchenettes in building part E remain accessible?

Yes, the restrooms and kitchenettes on the first and second floors will remain accessible at all times.

Where will staff be able to work during periods of high noise exposure?

There are different options:

• Alternative work stations within the WZB building
• Co-working spaces outside the WUB at Hardenbergstraße 32 for a group and as needed
• Work from home in consultation with the respective manager.

What happens if I realize it’s too loud for me and I cannot work from home?

Please contact your research manager, your supervisor or the works council. We will find a solution.

Will there be regular updates about the timing and duration of especially loud work?

We will do our best, working with the construction firms, to provide timely and regular updates about noise-intensive work.

Will staff be allowed to enter building part E while loud construction work is in progress?

The noise-intensive construction work in building part E only concerns the ground floor and the basement. No construction work will take place on the first and second floors, which will only be protected from dust. Offices on these floors may be entered, but working there will presumably be impossible during the 3-4 months of construction work. Staff working on the first floor may be able to return to their offices a little earlier, as the first floor is the one furthest away from the construction work.

Why will not all of the employees move into rented spaces outside the WZB?

We intend to continue our academic work at the WZB without any disturbances, to the extent possible. Discussions in-house have shown that a large number of employees value the collaboration within the WZB building and prefer to stay in the building. Due to the high commercial rents in Berlin, an external accommodation over the full duration of the construction work would also incur high costs. We will, however, be able to provide smaller external spaces.

Will employees receive notebooks or devices to work from home?

We won’t be able to provide all employees with devices to work from home. However, we assume that the devices available in the research units or private devices can be used to connect with the WZB through VPNs.

When will employees be able to reoccupy their offices in building parts E and D?

According to the information we have now, we plan to move back into the offices in the concerned building parts step by step, maybe with some limitations as regards use, once the works with high noise levels will be finished in November 2018.

Who will decide who will work where during the noisy periods?

The executive level, the team leaders, and the works council will be updated regularly. The responsible managers will speak with all concerned employees in good time prior to the begin of the construction works to see which options make the most sense.

Will the cafeteria be closed during the construction phase?

Services will be offered during the entire construction phase. There will be times, when we will use the Café Garage. During the summer months, we plan to erect a tent in the courtyard.