"Art in architecture" competition, 2017 (proposal)

Modular accommodation for refugees, Berlin

From the rooftop of a building, a slogan in the style of insurance advertising* addresses the neighbourhood’s residents in a familiar tone. On closer inspection however, the location and the way the slogan is written are both irritating – it is unclear whose security is actually meant.**

We are currently experiencing heated debate with increasing attempts to confuse refugee policy with anti-terror measures, thereby turning the theme of security onto those who are actually seeking protection. The debate primarily focuses on the security of Germans, thereby ignoring the fact that the rights anchored in Article 1 of the German Constitution apply to all people.

According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, last year in Germany alone, 970 attacks were carried out on refugee accommodation and 2.396 crimes were committed against refugees outside their accommodation. In view of those figures, it is fair to ask whether our society is fulfilling the refugees’ right to security, and whether it is sufficiently opposing citizens who are endangering refugees through their deeds and also their words.

The need for people to live in safety is universal and connects us to those seeking shelter in this country.

The location of the slogan on the roof of refugee accommodation shifts the perspective of the security debate and reflects it onto the urban environment.

* Allianz SE – via its subsidiary Allianz Global Investors – is one of the ten leading shareholders of the largest German arms corporation Rheinmetall AG (Reference: Morningstar, Status 2017-02-28) .
** In German, the words "IHRE SICHERHEIT" can mean "your security" or "their security".

The design was awarded by the jury but not recommended for realization due to security concerns.