GRETCHEN

About the project
The Gretchen has been located on the Dragonerareal in Berlin-Kreuzberg since summer 2011. The site was originally an industrial area and is now being developed as part of a participatory urban development process. The Gretchen will remain at the location, while the surrounding area is being developed with new housing and commercial spaces.

Initial situation
The construction of around 500 new apartments in the southern part of the site made additional soundproofing measures necessary to ensure the continued operation of the club alongside the new residential development.

Measures

1. Replacement of doors and gates
All doors and gates were replaced with soundproof doors and additional sealing measures were carried out. These measures formed the first step of the soundproofing concept.

2. Additional soundproof gates
The monument protection authority approved the construction of two additional soundproof gates as part of the next stage of the soundproofing concept, which was planned to begin soon.

Result
With the support of the funding programme, the first important soundproofing measures could be implemented. The improved doors and gates form the first step towards reducing sound emissions and securing the Gretchen’s future at the Dragonerareal.