European Center for Jewish Scholarship

Potsdam, Germany

Photo © Kevin Fuchs

Photo © Dimitri Bohl

Cultural Centers

Architects: SSP

Location: Am Neuen Palais, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
Year: 2021

In Potsdam, at the New Palace in Sanssouci Palace Park, the North Gate building and the adjoining orangery have been converted and renovated for university use. Built in 1769 as a residential and service building for palace administrators and court gardeners, the ensemble is now a listed building and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin".

The Abraham Geiger College and Zacharias Frankel College, a training seminar for rabbis and cantors, is given new premises for teaching, research and administration in the renovated North Gate building.

The conversion of the Orangerie for the Institute of Jewish Theology is based on the concept of a "house within a house". This has resulted in a clearly identifiable structure as an independent new building, which has been integrated into the orangery while maintaining a respectful distance from the historic facades. The resulting intermediate space offers room as a learning zone or as a meeting place during breaks.

The south side of the orangery, which was once over-formed, has been given a generous new glass façade so that its original design is once again visible.