Taking the form of a circular wooden ark measuring almost 23-feet (7-meters ) tall and 92-feet (28-meters) wide, ANOHA by Olson Kundig and Architekturburo Engelbrecht is an imaginative exhibit within The Children’s World of the Jewish Museum Berlin.
Located within a former flower hall market, the rounded ark complements the curved ribs of the Brutalist ceiling above, while a shifting in materiality from concrete to wood offers a softening counterpoint.
Inside the ark space, more than 150 sculptural animals are on display, each made from found objects discovered by a team of 18 Berlin artists. The approach encourages children to consider the importance of recycling and adaptive re-use, while supporting ANOHA’s core philosophy of creativity and imagination. Highly tactile, the objects encourage a playful sense of discovery as children recognize the materials used in the creations.
Extensive mechanical systems were eliminated thanks to the buffering of the existing building shell. This resulted in a significant lowering of energy loads. Ceiling fans and operable windows in the ark allow for further air exchange and natural ventilation, while the hall’s curved roof with windows draws daylight into the interior.
