The Berlin office Heinle, Wischer und Partner wins the competition for the documentation and visitors' center.
Between 1933 and 1945, the central institutions responsible for the repressive and criminal policies of National Socialism were located on the terrain of the Topography of Terror, situated between Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse (today Niederkirchnerstrasse), Wilhelmstrasse and Anhalter Strasse.
In 1993, the architectural competition was won by the design of Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. However, the project was cancelled due to technical and financial reasons.
Image courtesy of Heinle, Wischer und Partner.
NEW: More (highres) images and plans from the Topography of Terror competition at Bundesamt f. Bauwesen und Raumordnung.
January 25, 2006
Topography of Terror.
label:
evil,
remembrance
by
Christoph ,anarchitecture
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2 comment(s):
Do we now get the better box? After having demolished Peter Zumthor's work the design of the german office Heinle, Wischer and Partners (offices in 4 cities with about 150 employees) promises a neutral, financially feasible box. Is the benefit orientated design appropriate for this site? "topography of terror" reminds us of germans and austrians as perpetrators of nazi-regime. architecture should offer more than housing necessary facilities. no risk, no debate?
Hmmm, not so sure (re previous comment). The Zumthor building wasn't so much demolished as abandoned at an early stage, because it couldn't be built - only the base and the stair towers were completed. I'm a fan of Zumthor, but can't help feeling that the neutral box is exactly the correct solution, given that there is a strong view that there should be no permanant building at all. When it opens, the focus will be on the subject matter, not on the building.
Besides which, the T-o-T foundation is hardly going to be given a huge amount more money having failed to complete its original project.
No risk, true. But the debate goes on.
Have blogged on this myself here, if interested.
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