The expansion of ZK/U's event spaces, located in a former freight train station, by Peter Grundmann Architects, has been selected as the winner of DAM-Preis 2026! Since 2007, the German Museum of Architecture (DAM) selects 25 outstanding buildings which are judged by an expert jury of architects, curators and other professionals. Along with the four other finalists, ZK/U is featured in an exhibition at DAM and the Deutsche Architektur Jahrbuch.
Since 2012, the Center for Art and Urbanistics – ZK/U has developed into an important contact point for contemporary art and urban discourse and has become a reliable address for institutions and a diverse audience.
To address the growing public interest and the increasing demand for spaces for neighborhood gatherings, international networking, and exhibitions, we laid the foundation for the expansion and energy-efficient renovation of the ZK/U in 2019, in close collaboration with district and senate administrations. For Berlin, this expansion represents a significant gain:
- Increased lived diversity for people of all backgrounds and educational levels.
- More cultural offerings accessible to all Berliners.
- Expanded space for exhibitions by international and local artists.
- Enhanced international exchange and visibility as a European art metropolis.
- Greater visibility for an engaged and interdisciplinary artistic practice driving an open, democratic culture.
The expansion signifies a doubling of our exhibition and workspaces and sets new standards in architecture and cultural spaces. The new building was inaugurated during Berlin Art Week in September 2024 and has been in regular use since 2025. Highlights include:
- Column-free exhibition and event spaces totaling around 1,000 sqm.
- A 600 sqm 'Urban Stage' on the new rooftop of the ZK/U, visible to 180,000 daily commuters on the S-Bahn, regional trains, and long-distance traffic.
- Workshop rooms for district culture and initiatives.
ZK/U expansion is funded by the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany, the State of Berlin within the framework of the Zukunftsinitiative Stadtteil, Funding Programm Social Cohesion.
Status of commissions
