Barenboim-Said Academy Berlin

The music academy established in 2012 by the Argentinien-Israeli pianist and director Daniel Barenboim opened for teaching in October 2016. The academy was named after its initiator, the American-Palastinien literary scholar, Edward Said. Two degree programs are offered for talented young people primarily from the Middle East and North Africa, with liberal arts courses equally as important as their musical training.

Until 2010, the building situated on Französischen Straße (French Street) hosted the scenery depot of the Unter den Linden State Opera, and today accomodates an auditorium, several seminar rooms, and 21 rehearsal spaces. Since March 2017, the renovated structure is crowned by the chamber music hall designed by Frank Gehry and Japanese acoustic engineer Aysuhisa Toyota and named after the French director, Pierre Boulez.

mawa’s fbl spotlights illuminate the connecting zones of the building and integrate perfectly into the architecture. Whether functioning as a surface-mounted spotlight between ceiling slats or a built-in variation in the stairwell, the spotlights offer atmosphere and orientation. They prepare the way into the spotlight, where young academics not only blossom, but where cross-border communication and diversity is welcomed.