Social engagement
City Trees for Berlin
Even though ST raum a. is an internationally active planning office, we recognize the importance of making a difference on the community level. Trees play a crucial part in urban environmental conditions, especially in a large city like Berlin. Whether it is the filtering of pollution or microparticles, the shade they offer during the summer months or the habitat they provide to living creatures, street trees are an integral and enriching part of the urban landscape. Despite all of their positive contributions, the number of street trees is still declining in the city, mostly because it does not have the financial means to replace trees that have to be cut down. One way to challenge this reduction in the quality of life within the city is by supporting the city tree campaign of the Berlin senate. Through an annual donation, ST raum a. plays a continued part in the amelioration in the present and future of the city, resulting in a tree being planted directly in our neighbourhood of Kreuzberg. Further information regarding the city tree campaign and the use of trees in Berlin can be found at www.berlin.de
Donation to the Squirrel Aid Berlin/Brandenburg
The main goals of the Squirrel Aid Berlin/Brandenburg e.V. are raising orphaned baby squirrels, rehabilitating adult squirrels and subsequently releasing them into the wild, and educating people about squirrels and their role in the ecosystem.
Donation to the Björn Schulz foundation
We have been supporting the Björn-Schulz-Stiftung and the Sonnenhof children’s hospital for many years, donating as much as 500€ in 2015. The children’s hospital supports the families of seriously ill children and offers them opportunities such as art lessons, rock climbing, and various other therapies during this trying time. Further information can be found at www.bjoern-schulz-stiftung.de
Donation to the TelefonSeelsorge Berlin-Brandenburg
Those who call the TelefonSeelsorge are usually desperate. They see no solutions to their problems, whether it be their relationship, their family, a tragedy, conflict at work, addiction or depression. Sometimes they see suicide as the only option. These people are lonely and have no one to turn to. TelefonSeelsorge offers 24-hour, 365-day assistance in the form of a person who is willing to listen at the other end of the line, which is only possible through the unwavering dedication of their volunteers. The education of their volunteers is important, and costs money, which we support through donations to ensure that there will always be someone on the other end of the line when help is needed.
Integration of refugees
Mohammad Alsalamh was a team member for two years from 2017 to 2019. He had to flee his native country of Syria due to the civil war, the unrest between the regime and rebel troops and due to the terror spread by the Islamic State. He found asylum in Germany and successfully applied the knowledge he attained in his architecture degree during his time at ST raum a.
He learned to speak German fluently on the side, with the goal of pursuing his Master’s in architecture in Germany. It was his dream to resume his practice as an architect, and for this reason we recommended him to a partner architecture firm, at which he is very happy and is gaining valuable experience in the field.