In Between – Design of the New Bauakademie at Berlin | Masters Design Project

Site Context

The proposed Bauakademie will be located at Schinkelplatz, one of the most prestigious sites in Berlin’s historic center. Originally built in 1836, the Bauakademie was a pioneering structure of its time, integrating modernist skeletal construction methods to serve as an art school and authority for architecture and design. Although damaged in World War II and demolished in the late 1950s, the Bauakademie’s legacy endures as an emblem of forward-thinking public architecture. The new Bauakademie aims to revive this tradition by serving as a platform for education, research, art, and culture within the construction domain. As a forum for innovation, it will host events, exhibitions, and research projects, positioning itself as a public institution that champions sustainable practices and forward-looking architectural design.

Design Process

This design explores how a public building can be re-envisioned within the cubic boundaries of the original Bauakademie while promoting sustainability and public interaction. A key design element is a double-height, open space flowing throughout the building, fostering connectivity and communication. The introduction of a unique rotating core, consisting of two L-shaped elements housing essential facilities like fire stairs and restrooms, is instrumental in defining this flexible, accessible environment.

This rotating configuration shifts on each floor, creating diverse, adaptable spaces that include meeting rooms, seminar rooms, exhibition spaces, cafés, and collaborative areas. Four community staircases span from the ground level to the top floor, establishing a “public street” atmosphere and encouraging movement and engagement across all levels. The design challenges traditional architectural hierarchies by creating entry points on all four sides, ensuring an inviting, accessible public interface.

Final Outcome

The resulting structure embodies a sustainable, zero-energy building concept, crafted primarily from timber to minimize environmental impact. A modular grid system enhances spatial flexibility, while removable curtain systems serve as adaptable partition walls, allowing spaces to evolve based on user needs. The building is not just an architectural space but a participatory experience, with users engaging as curators who shape the environment.

The upper-floor co-working café serves as an active community hub, reinforcing the building’s identity as an open house for public interaction. By eliminating distinctions between front and back and integrating sustainable materials and innovative design features, the new Bauakademie presents itself as a “living architecture,” adaptable and sustainable—a timeless structure serving Berlin’s future needs.

Conclusion: The project reimagines Schinkel’s visionary Bauakademie as a sustainable, adaptable space that bridges Berlin’s architectural heritage with contemporary needs. This project fosters public engagement and continuous learning, creating a vibrant hub for dialogue and exploration in architecture and urban development.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]