During its meeting on 17 May 2001, the board of trustees of the foundation »Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe« undertook an on-site inspection of a number of sample steles (columns) that the architect Prof. Peter Eisenman used to demonstrate different material types and color variations. The members of the board of trustees received a vivid and realistic impression of the artistic effect of Peter Eisenman’s design at the planned location of the memorial.
With the sample steles, the architect conveyed important information on the color, plasticity and dimensions of the field of steles. The board of trustees unanimously supported Prof. Eisenman’s choice of a stele variation made of a rather dark and fine-pored concrete. Prof. Eisenman will further develop this variation, providing it with a metallic looking surface.
The project has now entered the next important development phase. The Berlin Senate’s Department of Urban Development has examined the construction details of the preliminary planning documents submitted by the architect. It has confirmed that they adhere to the budgetary framework.
The architect and the foundation are now preparing the next planning steps. In the course of the current year, these are expected to lead to the issuance of a construction permit and the announcement of a call to bid for the construction work, so that building activities can begin in the fall.
