Zuhause am Tempelhofer Feld

The debate over Tempelhofer Feld has reached an impasse. Despite – or perhaps because of – public participation, the ideas competition failed to produce any convincing proposals. It evoked no vision, sparked no enthusiasm and brought about no sense of renewal; rather, it engendered a sense of helplessness. Amidst broad yet ultimately unrepresentative public participation, the scale of the urban development at stake here, and the opportunities it presents to Berlin and its diverse urban society, has once again been underestimated.

Does the vast field not offer sufficient space for landscapes, new buildings, living spaces, workplaces, recreational areas and commercial spaces? For far too long, the 'either-or' dilemma has obscured the need for ambitious urban development. Clearly, the competition entries suffered from a brief that was as overloaded as it was uninspired. Ultimately, no one could be convinced of the benefits that urban ecology, the urban economy and the people of Berlin could expect from such a limited plan for such a large site.
Our entry is conceived as a grand plan that evokes the qualities of familiar Berlin neighbourhoods and develops them naturally. This bold plan requires determination and strength, which we believe Berlin is c