2026 - Woven Light

The Franziskanischer Klosterkirche is one of the oldest surviving structures in Berlin, although only the remains of the original building remain today. Originally part of a Franciscan monastery, the church served as a central meeting place for literacy, reflection, and community life.

The proposal aims to create a contemporary gathering space that protects and celebrates the character of the original structure, enabling new uses while establishing a respectful dialogue between the past and the present. A lightweight, prefabricated enclosure defines a new spatial boundary, positioned to offset the ruin and preserve its integrity and autonomy. Simple glass panels form a transparent yet robust outer shell, while a secondary skin of stretch metal modulates light, views, and temperature. This interplay of transparency and opacity creates a layered spatial experience that evolves throughout the day.

The new shell provides shelter while maintaining nearly outdoor daylight conditions. At the same time, its construction uses simple, prefabricated stretch metal elements on a steel frame coupled with conventionally sized glass panels. During the day, visitors enter via the narthex through a newly introduced quartz portico, passing through a reception area to reach the nave. An inserted staircase winds through the structure, inviting visitors to ascend and discover new perspectives of the space.

At the highest level, a circular walkway runs along the top of the walls, offering panoramic views of the surrounding cityscape while protecting the historic masonry below. Descending back to the nave, the attention is drawn towards the presbytery apse. Here, close to the former sanctuary, an enclosed space opens out into a secluded, tranquil area outside of the shell. Visitors can pause for a while, interact with the various objects hanging from the ceiling as swings, and reflect.At night, the church is reactivated as a cultural venue. The side doors are opened to connect to the adjacent plaza. A concert unfolds beneath the soft glow of the perforated metal veil. The sound spreads beneath the thresholds, within the church, and around. Celebration of the church is back.