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‘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.
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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.
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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.
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