‘Raumerweiterungshalle’, (translating literally as room expansion hall), was a type of mobile structure produced in the German Democratic Republic during the 60s and 70s.
Similar to a caravan, the containers could be placed wherever there was space, and transformed into canteens, cinemas, and shops.
Nicknamed ‘accordions’, the structures typically consisted of eight elements, which could be nested into a smaller size and tucked into a frame for transportation.
Outer shells were made from aluminum sheets and a light steel frame, with the inner walls lined with hardboard.
Around 3,400 REH were made in East Germany, until production came to an end in 1989.
Many of them were scrapped or sold to Russia, however, a few still are still in use today.
An example of contemporary use can be found in places such as Selbstuniversität e.V, a self-organized space for non-commercial projects and events in Berlin’s Ostkreuz.
