As part of a single-phase competition, a new Jewish centre is to be built in a central location on the Landwehr Canal in Berlin, which can provide a forward-looking home for contemporary Jewish life in its cultural diversity. The competition area is nestled between Art Nouveau buildings, school grounds and the historic Fraenkelufer synagogue, which will be complemented by a new community, cultural and educational centre and a day care centre. The design addresses the complex urban planning situation by dividing the building mass into two separate structures that are positioned on the site. The new cultural centre will be located in the centre of the site, directly adjacent to the existing building, and will include a café, a gallery, a flexible function room and co-working spaces. Together with the placement of the daycare centre in the northern planning area and the monument of the youth synagogue to the south of the site, an open, inviting campus is being created, whose shared open spaces can be used and played with in different ways, thus promoting encounters and dialogue. The buildings are based on the structure of the former synagogue, taking up its architectural language and developing it into a modern, functional use. In addition to the functional and aesthetic aspects, sustainability is also a priority: Robust and pollutant-free materials ensure longevity and low maintenance costs. Green roofs, flower strips and near-natural play areas for the daycare centre promote biodiversity and create a pleasant microclimate. The outdoor facilities, with terraces, a sculpture garden and public areas, invite people to use them and at the same time offer a safe retreat for the community. Despite the necessary security measures, the campus remains an open space. Sophisticated spatial concepts enable synergies between the building components and respect the urban context. The new centre will thus become a cultural attraction that connects Jewish life, art and education with urban society. The concept was developed in collaboration with Ando Yoo Landscape Architects.
Size: 3.500m2 GFA
Competition: 2nd prize
Date: 2025
Use: culture, education
Initiator: Jüdisches Zentrum Synagoge Fraenkelufer e.V.
Visualisation: ©leonardmitchell.studio, april studios
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