Synagogenzentrum Potsdam

Synagogenzentrum Potsdam stands in central Potsdam, serving the city’s Jewish communities as a religious and cultural centre. Its sand-coloured brick façade connects Brandenburg’s local building tradition with the wider tradition of brick sacred architecture. A two-storey arch marks the entrance, leading towards security control and a foyer.

The four-storey reinforced-concrete building includes prayer rooms, community and office spaces, a visitor café, and a multifunctional hall for lectures or events. The central synagogue room occupies the first floor, where a glass roof brings zenith light into the space. Construction followed a European competition involving more than 150 architectural firms, with Berlin practice Haberland providing the winning design. Work began in November 2021, and the building was completed in spring 2024.

A mikveh, youth room, technical rooms, storage, cloakroom, and central toilets occupy the basement. The kitchen separates meat and dairy preparation areas according to Jewish dietary laws, while the hall can also serve as a café.