Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

This memorial, located in the heart of Berlin, stands as a reverential and solemn reminder of one of humanity's greatest tragedies. OLIN collaborated with architect Peter Eisenman to create a spatial experience that allows for reflection and individual interpretation. Built across the expanse of a large 19,000-square-foot open plaza on one of Berlin’s most prominent streets, the memorial sits between the Brandenburg Gate and the Potsdamer Platz. It consists of 2,711 unadorned concrete steles, each a unique height, undulating in a gentle wave, crookedly rising from the earth at slightly different angles in a grid-like pattern. The site is graded to create the uneven ground that, along with the forest of steles, evokes a sense of insecurity, instability and loss of orientation. Trees are dispersed randomly as a testament to the fragility and persistence of life.

Location
Berlin, Germany

Owner
Foundation Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Status
Completed 2005

Key Team Members
Laurie Olin, Partner