Floating University Berlin is a self-organized educational space that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, offering programs that explore human-non-human interconnectedness and advocate for ecological and social transformation.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-floating-university
Floating University Berlin is an unconventional educational space situated in a former rainwater retention basin in the heart of Berlin. Founded in 2018 by the collective Raumlabor, it has evolved into a self-organized association, Floating e.V., that brings together practitioners from diverse backgrounds to collaborate and co-create. The site, a hidden gem discovered by a member of Raumlabor on Google Maps, has been transformed into a unique ecosystem where art, architecture, and environmental humanities intersect. The organization offers a broad range of public learning programs, including lecture series, seminars, and workshops, that cater to a diverse audience, from children to researchers and neighbors. Floating University's programs are designed to foster a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of human and non-human species, as exemplified by the Climate Care festival, which explores the intersection of ethics of care and climate challenges. The organization's approach to education is characterized by its emphasis on collective research, pedagogy on site, and political activism, aiming to create a transformative agent for its users' attitudes. Despite its innovative approach, Floating University faces financial precarity and future uncertainty, relying on public sector endowments and volunteer efforts to sustain its activities. Nonetheless, its unique status as an independent organization allows for intellectual and curatorial freedom, making it a valuable space for alternative narratives on urban development and ecological futures.
Floating University Berlin is an unconventional educational space situated in a former rainwater retention basin in the heart of Berlin. Founded in 2018 by the collective Raumlabor, it has evolved into a self-organized association, Floating e.V., that brings together practitioners from diverse backgrounds to collaborate and co-create. The site, a hidden gem discovered by a member of Raumlabor on Google Maps, has been transformed into a unique ecosystem where art, architecture, and environmental humanities intersect. The organization offers a broad range of public learning programs, including lecture series, seminars, and workshops, that cater to a diverse audience, from children to researchers and neighbors. Floating University's programs are designed to foster a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of human and non-human species, as exemplified by the Climate Care festival, which explores the intersection of ethics of care and climate challenges. The organization's approach to education is characterized by its emphasis on collective research, pedagogy on site, and political activism, aiming to create a transformative agent for its users' attitudes. Despite its innovative approach, Floating University faces financial precarity and future uncertainty, relying on public sector endowments and volunteer efforts to sustain its activities. Nonetheless, its unique status as an independent organization allows for intellectual and curatorial freedom, making it a valuable space for alternative narratives on urban development and ecological futures.
