Born in Eisenhüttenstadt in 1982 and raised in the 1980s in what was then the first socialist city on German soil, Martin Maleschka was influenced by both the early 1950s national architectural tradition and the new housing estates of the late GDR, which were constructed with large, prefabricated panels on the outskirts of the city. 
Driven by personal experiences with the urban redevelopment program that still affects his hometown of Eisenhüttenstadt (where three of his homes have been demolished), he has been documenting the impending loss of the GDR’s architectural heritage for over two decades. 
Through readings, discussion panels, workshops, publications, exhibitions, and his social media presence, Maleschka has made significant contributions to raising awareness of an architectural culture that has been undervalued since 1990. His first book DDR. Baubezogene Kunst – Kunst im öffentlichen Raum 1950 bis 1990 (GDR: Architecture-related art – Art in public spaces 1950 to 1990) was published in 2019, followed two years later by Architekturführer Eisenhüttenstadt (Architectural Guide to Eisenhüttenstadt).  
Maleschka studied architecture at the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg. He lives and works in his hometown. 

Martin Maleschka was awarded the Silver Hemisphere—the German prize for monument preservation—in 2024.

DURATION 

75 min 

MEETING POINT 

Foyer 

LANGUAGE 

German 

PARTICIPANTS 

max. 40 

COST 

Admission free