The topic of colonialism and how to address it has recently gained greater significance in society. The design of a center dedicated to the reappraisal and education of international colonialism aims to facilitate engagement with the subject and provide people with a space and opportunities for discussion.

The center is based on the idea of a space-defining structure that, through its form, creates various spatial experiences and outdoor situations. In different zones, visitors can engage with the topic and participate in discussions in a low-threshold setting. Attached to this defining structural element are four volumes, each assigned to a specific zone. Within these volumes, a deeper exploration of the subject is possible.

The space-defining element extends into the outdoor plaza, shaping the public space, while indoors, it functions as a circulation structure. The material palette consists of beige rammed earth for the volumes, white textile, wood for the supporting structure, and perforated brick for the space-defining element. To emphasize the contrasting principles of indoor and outdoor spaces, the perforated brick is rotated 90 degrees, giving the element a distinctly different appearance inside and out.

The center is open to everyone, allowing visitors to approach the topic from different perspectives and at their own pace. In doing so, it fosters a greater awareness of colonialism and its lasting consequences.

Faculty Award for the Best Master's Thesis in the Winter Semester 2023/24

Anna Witkowska has been awarded the Faculty Prize for her thesis “Greed. Power. Violence. International Center for Research on Colonialism”, published by the Department of Design and Building Technology (Prof. Anett-Maud Joppien).

As part of her master's thesis, she was tasked with designing a multifunctional urban element for the Lisbon district of Belém, providing a visible space for colonialism in public life and serving as a catalyst for a critical yet constructive examination and reflection on European colonialism.

The Cultural Resonance Center, designed by Anna Witkowska, is not just a rigid building but a community-oriented space for dialogue and exchange. Its goal is to offer a visible platform for colonial heritage within public life. The façades transform into canvases, giving artists from the community a platform for collective art installations, proudly showcasing cultural heritage. The participatory design ensures a continuous renewal and reflection of the subject matter.

As a cultural manufactory, the center serves as a hub for contemporary discussions—not only addressing history but also quite literally sketching an optimistic future based on respect, understanding, and shared responsibility. Visitors can attend lectures in the exhibition halls, explore the intercultural market in the courtyard, or simply rest in the shade of lushly planted trellis structures. As a dynamic urban element, the building functions both as a machine and as a living organism.

The structure is designed in a modular system, with most components prefabricated and transported in standardized 40-foot containers. Materials and components not available locally can be sourced internationally and transported via the rail network between Central Europe and the Iberian Peninsula.

A Place for Visibility. For Understanding, Questioning, Reflecting, Exchanging, and Gathering. A Place That Connects and Makes a Statement.

The design takes shape in the culturally rich district of Belém in Lisbon.

The building consists of two distinct structures—a tower and a set-back elongated volume—which together form an ensemble that accommodates various spatial requirements. The tower is strategically placed along the prominent axis of the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Museu de Marinha.

Inside the tower, visitors will find an auditorium, as well as spaces for temporary and permanent exhibitions. The elongated volume houses seminar rooms, a library, research facilities, an archive, temporary accommodations for researchers, and a restaurant.

The open ground floor of the tower seamlessly integrates with the urban space, reducing barriers and enhancing accessibility. The auditorium, positioned as a low-threshold and easily accessible space for dialogue, serves as the foundation for knowledge exchange. It anchors the exhibitions above, establishing a central hub within the city for discourse and reflection.