In the Spring of 2023, we developed a comprehensive concept for the redesign and renovation of a Berlin landmark–the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church–as a bid for a three-stage Europe-wide competition. Teaming up with planet architects, we were among the eight firms that were selected from a total of 44 to advance to the second stage.

We were competing with renowned architecture firms including a+r Architekten & Duncan McCauley (Stuttgart/Berlin), heneghan peng architects & Ralph Appelbaum Associates (Dublin, Berlin), Hoskins Planungs GmbH & jn jagled nerves gmbh (Berlin, Stuttgart), Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos & Studio Adrien Gardère (Berlin, Paris), Snohetta & ART+COM & Serge von Arx (Oslo, Berlin), Wandel Lorch Götze Wach (Frankfort) and Winkler+Ruck Architekten & Ars Electronica Solutions (Klagenfurt, Linz).

With our concept we aimed at maximizing the existing potential, generating added value through purposeful interventions, leveraging the resulting synergies, and creating a unique perspective for the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the entire site:  Developing a high-quality, sustainable, and attractive urban living space.

Sticking out as a reminder to not forget and establishing the site as an authentic place of understanding, reconciliation, and remembrance, the “Old Tower“ with its past and future legacy served as the main narrative and the core of the exhibition architecture. Our approach to point out perspectives and create new viewing angles to push the visual perception of the visitors ran as a common thread through our exhibition design. These different perspectives helped us to tell the story and history of the place and to make them physically tangible using mirroring effects and reflections and layering these effects as key scenographic elements of the exhibition design and the overall staging.