CENTER FOR LANGUAGE AND MOVEMENT
The ‚Zentrum für Sprache und Bewegung' serves as a cultural anchor point and a defining landmark of the Efeuweg campus promenade, a school campus in Berlin's Neukölln district. It mediates between the large-scale public buildings of Gropiusstadt and the smaller-scale residential structures of the surrounding area. The design is based on a variation of the gabled roof form, developing into a sculptural, narrative roofscape — spatially interpreting language and movement.
The polygonal floor plan creates distinct outdoor spaces and strategically positions key functions within the spatial framework. A central atrium forms the heart of the building, visually and functionally connecting the floors. The open structure enables flexible use and encourages communication and interaction within the learning environment. A rehearsal room at the entrance can be opened into a stage, transforming the spacious foyer into a concert hall.
The building envelope, made of galvanized steel panels, gives the structure a sculptural appearance that reflects the surrounding light. Narrow joints and a continuous grid structure define the full-height panels with concealed fastening. Large glass surfaces open the building to the outside—particularly the campus café, gallery, and movement spaces. A double façade with a protective glass front and an insulating window layer filters daylight while simultaneously reducing noise from the adjacent street. The gently sloping gabled roof, made of galvanized standing seam metal, features precise openings above the east- and west-facing learning loggias. These serve as light wells, drawing daylight deep into the building and creating an atmospheric connection to the exterior. The material selection follows a clear logic: robust and durable in hightraffic areas, soft and sound-absorbing where protection and acoustics are the main focus.
The Center for Language and Movement' is surrounded by four outdoor spaces that respond to the urban environment: the southern city square forms the main entrance to the campus promenade, connecting the building to Gropiusstadt. The western schoolyard serves as a gathering space for the community school, while the northern activity courtyard provides a sheltered outdoor area for sports activities. The eastern promenade offers spaces for recreation and movement along the campus.
As a neighborhood education center, the project is being developed in cooperation with the Neukölln Adult Education Center, educational institutions, the music school, and local initiatives, offering a diverse educational program for all generations. With its open, inclusive concept, the center strengthens the community, creates new connections, and enhances Neukölln as an educational hub—funded by the federal program National Urban Development Projects.
