University Campus, Potsdam , 2015, special mention

The site of the university campus at the New Palace in Potsdam is located in one of the largest and most important parks in Europe. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, its development is subject to the highest urban and architectural preservation requirements, which can only be met by the best possible integration of the building ensemble to be planned into the Sanssouci Park landscape. We propose the division of the building volumes into several “houses”, which unfold an extensive network of inner courtyards and small squares. The small-scale building ensemble with its finger-like ground plan structure literally interlocks with the surrounding park landscape. The new campus complex is architecturally oriented towards the outbuildings of the palace complex, such as the gardener’s house and the Kaiserbahnhof. Thus, these buildings develop as a reproduction of this building type from individually discernible “houses moved together”. This additive principle provides great scope for expansion and the future development of the university at this location. It is variable in its design form, allows many different uses and can therefore also adapt to future changes in the university operation.