1st prize in the Kunst-am-Bau competition for the new building on the Postblock site (formerly the Federal Ministry of Finance)

Material: veneer inlays made from 16 local wood species

Economy and ecology cannot be separated from each other, as in such an interconnected world, every economic decision also has consequences for the environment. There is evidence that biodiversity in Germany is in constant decline. As living organisms interact in dynamic ecosystems, the disappearance of a species can have far-reaching effects on the food chain. If biodiversity disappears, a relevant economic basis dwindles and human well-being is also minimized: A polluted environment has a negative impact on our health, reduces our quality of life and makes it more difficult for us to counteract climate change. The insects that will be present as inlays in the living area of the BFA depend on the wood of so-called evergreen trees. This standing deadwood is vital for numerous species. However, in a forestry industry geared towards quick profit, the wood of dead trees is quickly removed and processed. To date, the intrinsic value of biodiversity has hardly been taken into account in economic valuation. Yet the costs to humans and the environment of reduced biodiversity and its impact on future generations are incalculable.