In an increasingly interconnected world, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding among diverse religious communities is now more crucial than ever. As cities evolve into multicultural melting pots, the need for innovative spaces that accommodate and celebrate this diversity has never been greater. Among the most ambitious and visionary projects addressing this need is the House of One in Berlin, an initiative that represents a groundbreaking approach to religious and cultural coexistence, offering a new model for how contemporary architecture can facilitate interfaith dialogue.
A vision of coexistence
The House of One, currently under construction, is a pioneering project that aims to create a space where three major monotheistic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – can coexist and interact under one roof. Designed by the architectural firm KUEHN MALVEZZI, the building will feature three distinct worship areas: a synagogue, a church, and a mosque, all centered around a circular, polyhedral space intended to facilitate meetings and conversations.
Located in Berlin’s Mitte district, a hub of cultural and religious diversity, the House of One is perfectly situated to reflect the city’s rich multicultural tapestry. With a population of approximately 3.5 million people, including 13 percent with foreign origins from around 190 different countries, Berlin stands as one of Europe’s most multiethnic cities. The House of One seeks to embody and address the city’s dynamic contrasts, positioning itself as a prototype for a new architectural typology that embraces religious and cultural coexistence.
The project also honors Berlin’s historical context by incorporating the archaeological remains of the former Petrikirche, a Gothic church demolished in 1964. These remains, uncovered in the 2000s, will be accessible to the public and enhance the building’s connection to both the city’s religious diversity and its ancient heritage. This integration of historical elements underscores the House of One’s commitment to preserving and reflecting the city’s layered past and present.
New Frontiers for Contemporary Architecture
The House of One challenges traditional notions of religious and communal spaces by integrating them into a single, shared environment.
While this approach has historical precedents, historical examples of shared religious places, deeply studied by Professor Maria Chiara Giorda at Roma Tre University, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Constantinople and the Mezquita of Córdoba, together with several examples in the Balkans, demonstrate how sacred spaces can serve multiple religious functions. However, the House of One builds upon this ancient tradition with a contemporary perspective, reflecting current trends in architecture that seek to redefine public spaces and place human needs at the center of design.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the House of One embodies a bold vision for interfaith harmony, it faces several significant challenges. The project must navigate the complexities of integrating diverse religious traditions within a single space, manage the interests of various stakeholders and ensure its ongoing relevance and impact.
Furthermore, a central concern is whether the concept of a multi-faith space might oversimplify the unique aspects of each religion, potentially failing to fully address the distinct practices and needs of its diverse users with the possibility that some communities might not feel adequately represented by a space that lacks a deep, historical connection to their individual traditions or experiences. This disconnection could undermine the sense of belonging and inclusivity that the project aims to foster.
Despite these challenges, the House of One represents a valuable opportunity for contemporary architecture to showcase its role in addressing modern social needs. As an urban landmark, it has the potential to become a model for future projects that aim to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding, demonstrating how architectural innovation can respond to and support the evolving dynamics of urban environments.
Community Engagement and Social Involvement
The House of One has garnered significant attention not only within Berlin but also on the global stage. Featured prominently in international media and supported by a record-breaking fundraising campaign, the project reflects the widespread recognition of its mission’s importance and the potential impact of its innovative approach.
Beyond its architectural significance, the House of One has been the subject of numerous articles, studies, and has been included in various high-profile exhibitions, from the MAXXI Museum in Rome to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Recently, the project was showcased in two monographic exhibitions titled RITUALS / MATERIALS. An Installation on Interfaith Dialogue, designed by Studio Kuehn-Malvezzi featuring works by photographer Armin Linke. These exhibitions held in Rome and Turin have further highlighted the project’s design and its broader implications for urban and religious spaces, cementing its place in contemporary architectural discourse.
At the same time, the House of One Foundation has already taken significant steps to address contemporary issues, even as the building itself remains under construction. The Foundation has launched a range of community engagement programs to foster interfaith dialogue and understanding, encouraging participants to engage with pressing global matters. These initiatives include workshops, educational sessions, and public discussions that engage a truly international community, not limited to the local level. In October 2023, for example, in response to escalating violence in Gaza, Rabbi Andreas Nachama, Pastor Gregor Hohberg, and Imam Kadir Sanci issued a heartfelt multi-faith appeal for peace. They expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life on all sides and emphasized the urgent necessity for compassion and dialogue as alternatives to violence.
The House of One represents more than just an architectural project; it is a symbol of hope and a testament to the potential of shared spaces to foster dialogue and mutual respect. As it takes shape in Berlin, it stands as a beacon of what can be achieved when communities come together with a shared vision of harmony and understanding.
Through its innovative design, commitment to intercultural dialogue, and global impact, the House of One offers a compelling example of how contemporary architecture can address some of today’s most pressing challenges.
It serves as a reminder that, even in a world marked by division and conflict, there is always the potential for unity and collaboration by rethinking our approach to diversity in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding.
Eleonora D’Alessandro completed specializations in Art History and Historical-Religious Studies at La Sapienza University of Rome and furthered her studies at Université Panthéon-Sorbonne in Paris. In 2023, she earned a Master’s in World Heritage and Cultural Projects for Development, promoted by UNESCO. As an independent researcher, her focus is on art, architecture, and religions, with particular focus to interreligious dialogue in contemporary cities. She is part of the SHARP Lab (Sharing Religious Places), a network of scholars focused on inter-religious interactions, with a particular emphasis on their spatial dynamics. By definition, it is a transdisciplinary network, bringing together historians of religions, geographers, art historians, architects, sociologists, Islamicists, theologians and anthropologists.
Cover photo: From the left, H. E. Imam Abdoulaye Ouasselegue of the National Islamic Council of the Central African Republic (CAR), Peter Amsler of the Baha·i Community Germany, Rabbi Andreas Nachama of House of One, Imam Kadir Sanci of House of One, Angelica Hilsebein, Representative for Interreligious Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Berlin, Pastor Michael Kösling of the Protestant Parish St. Marien-Friedrichswerder and Pastor Clotaire Siribi of the Evangelical Alliance of CAR at a joint prayer for peace by Jews, Christians and Muslims in front of the House of One box in Berlin, on October 10, 2023. (Photo by Carla Benkö / DPA / dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP)
