Neue Bauakademie

Berlin, since its foundation, is one of the most influential cities from political and cultural point of view. Overtime the city is protagonist of a development led by the ideas of wise men. In 1836, Schinkel realizes the Bauakademie, the Berlin University of Architecture. However historical events destroy it. Today's dream is to give it a new life.

The design hypothesis has the objective of reconfiguring the entire area of influence of the Bauakademie, paying particular attention to the insertion of volumes in a space so dense of meaning but without making the mistake of giving up a life of its own. This objective is achieved through the juxtaposition of pure volumes and a raised promenade along the Spree. The design elements included in the context of Friedrichswerdersche Kirche give life to a highly rational system set up on two courts in which part of the city's academic and architectural life takes place. The reconstruction of the Bauakademie is located in the heart of the historical city. Therefore, the intervention is part of a cultural context in which the principle of "what it was and where it was" has historically prevailed, strongly supported by the German. Conversely, the choice of this theme brings with it the challenge of standing next to the historical without falling into false disguises. The reconstruction proposal therefore finds a possible solution in the choice to conceive a new fragment of the city, conserving respect for the memory of the ancient, without renouncing the existence of a life of its own. In this direction, an organic design comes to life starting from the existing one. The Friedrichswerdersche Kirche and the trace of the ancient Bauakademie are incorporated into an architectural system in which each element opens up to link with others and with the place. In this way, pure volumes are formed that, besides containing mere functions, generate a new way of experiencing space. Full and empty juxtapositions give life to moments of tension and intimacy. Shapes hit by light generate shadows, the true strength of Architecture.