The House of World Cultures (Haus Der Kulturen Der Welt) was built in post-war Berlin, Germany with the purpose of serving as "a symbol and beacon of freedom" and to promote the importance of respecting one another's cultural differences.The building constructed for the House of Haus der Kulturen der Welt,
World Cultures was the United States' contribution to the INTERBAU 1957 building exhibition in Berlin. The U.S. was one of 22 countries that participated in this international building endeavor, which helped new buildings spring up in the totally destroyed Hansa Quarter of the city. The design of the building was by architect Hugh Stubbins, who first began tackling the project in 1955. It was Stubbins's desire to produce a venue that would be host to cultural events and congresses.