The estimated 10,000 Obdachlose in Berlin are always facing a harder time come winter. Global warming, where are you? More than just your usual shelter, Reichtum 2 (“Wealth 2” – the first one is located in Moscow) opened in 2008 in anything-but-schön Schöneweide.
The idea sprung from the mind of conceptual artist Miriam Kilali, who’s also responsible for the monochrome art pieces on the wall, while the social project GEBEWO financed the renovation. It offers the 20 (of a maximum of 21) homeless ex-alcoholics living there a permanent home and a room in a house built to look like a hotel.
The design is meant to give the inhabitants the feel of exclusivity, though detractors argue that a homey feel would be more suitable for people who spent decades on the street.