Architecture with capital "A". Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind
23/08/2023.
[Amsterdam] Netherlands
metalocus, ADELA BONAS
metalocus, ADELA BONAS
After ten years of preparations, the Dutch Holocaust Memorial of Names was presented in 2016 by the studio of architect Daniel Libeskind whit the Dutch Auschwitz Committee, and completed in September 2021. A place with the laser-engraved names of some 102,000 Jewish, Roma, and Sinti residents of the Netherlands, who were killed by the Nazis during World War II.
The monument, which honors each of these victims individually, is located on Weesperstraat in the city center, the heart of the Jewish Cultural Quarter, close to important Jewish cultural buildings and linked to the history of the Jewish community in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The monument, which honors each of these victims individually, is located on Weesperstraat in the city center, the heart of the Jewish Cultural Quarter, close to important Jewish cultural buildings and linked to the history of the Jewish community in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.o por Daniel Libeskind. Fotografía de Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
A model of Daniel Libeskind’s design for the Dutch national Holocaust memorial in Amsterdam. The monument is in the shape of the Hebrew word «Lizkor», which translates to «in memory of». Image by Studio Libeskind.
A model of Daniel Libeskind’s design for the Dutch national Holocaust memorial in Amsterdam. The monument is in the shape of the Hebrew word «Lizkor», which translates to «in memory of». Image by Studio Libeskind.
A model of Daniel Libeskind’s design for the Dutch national Holocaust memorial in Amsterdam. The monument is in the shape of the Hebrew word «Lizkor», which translates to «in memory of». Image by Studio Libeskind.
A model of Daniel Libeskind’s design for the Dutch national Holocaust memorial in Amsterdam. The monument is in the shape of the Hebrew word «Lizkor», which translates to «in memory of». Image by Studio Libeskind.
Sketch of project by Daniel Libeskind. Image by Daniel Libeskind
Sketch of project by Daniel Libeskind. Image by Daniel Libeskind
Sketch of project by Daniel Libeskind. Image by Daniel Libeskind
Site plan of project by Daniel Libeskind. Image by Daniel Libeskind
Ground floor plan of project by Daniel Libeskind. Image by Daniel Libeskind
Section of project by Daniel Libeskind. Image by Daniel Libeskind
Section of project by Daniel Libeskind. Image by Daniel Libeskind
Axonometry of project by Daniel Libeskind. Image by Daniel Libeskind
The memorial was designed by Studio Libeskind teamed with local studio Rijnboutt to commemorate Dutch victims of the Holocaust without known graves. the project received its name from the 102,000 bricks that are inscribed with the names of the victims. Besides these bricks, 1,000 extra bricks were left blank to memorialize those who remain unknown.
The memorial design by Daniel Libeskind consists of four Hebrew letters in reflective stainless steel, that make up a word that translates as ‘In memory of". The four letters are supported by a set of brick walls, creating a dynamic labyrinth of passages. On each brick are inscribed the name, date of birth, and date of passing away, in such a way that the name of each victim can be touched.
Together with the Garden of the Protestant Diaconate and the Garden of the Hermitage Amsterdam, the location creates a series of (semi) public, green outdoor spaces between the Amstel and Weesperstraat. While the spaces each have their own purpose and can function independently, they are also connected and create a coherent whole through design, materials, and the selection of plants.
The memorial design by Daniel Libeskind consists of four Hebrew letters in reflective stainless steel, that make up a word that translates as ‘In memory of". The four letters are supported by a set of brick walls, creating a dynamic labyrinth of passages. On each brick are inscribed the name, date of birth, and date of passing away, in such a way that the name of each victim can be touched.
Together with the Garden of the Protestant Diaconate and the Garden of the Hermitage Amsterdam, the location creates a series of (semi) public, green outdoor spaces between the Amstel and Weesperstraat. While the spaces each have their own purpose and can function independently, they are also connected and create a coherent whole through design, materials, and the selection of plants.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Holocaust Monument of Names by Daniel Libeskind. Photograph by Kees Hummel.
Project description by Daniel Libeskind
Situated along the Weesperstraat, an important axis within the Jewish Cultural Quarter, the Dutch Holocaust Memorial of Names is adjacent to the Hermitage Museum, East of the Diaconie’s verdant Hoftuin garden and café, just a stone’s throw from the Amstel River and in close proximity to important Jewish cultural institutions such as the Jewish Historical Museum and the Portuguese Synagogue.
The 1,550 square meter memorial incorporates four volumes that represent the letters in the Hebrew word לזכר meaning “In Memory of”. The volumes are arranged in a rectilinear configuration on the north-south axis of the main thoroughfare Weesperstraat and the Hoftuin pavilion to the East.
As visitors enter the memorial they will encounter a labyrinth of passages articulated by two-meter-high brick walls carrying the message of Remembrance. Each of the four volumes is crafted from mirror-finished stainless steel that hovers above the walls of individually stacked bricks. 102,000 bricks are each inscribed with a name, giving a tangible quantification to the many casualties, as well as leaving 1000 blank bricks that will memorialize the unknown victims.
More information
Architects
Project team
Team Studio Libeskind.- Stefan Blach, Johan van Lierop, Alex Tahinos, Amanda de Beaufort.
Team Rijnboutt: Bart van der Vossen, Richard Koek, David Philipsen, Jan Oudeman, Jordy van der Veen, Marcel Bakker, Margret van den Broek, Marian Enders, Max Both, Patrick Kolanczyk, Paul Beijeman, Petrouschka Thumann, Rob Korlaar.
Team Rijnboutt: Bart van der Vossen, Richard Koek, David Philipsen, Jan Oudeman, Jordy van der Veen, Marcel Bakker, Margret van den Broek, Marian Enders, Max Both, Patrick Kolanczyk, Paul Beijeman, Petrouschka Thumann, Rob Korlaar.
Collaborators
Installations.- Swart installatietechniek.
Lighting Design.- Ulrike Brandi Licht.
Lighting Design.- Ulrike Brandi Licht.
Client
Dutch Auschwitz Committee (project manager, Paul Rohlfs).
Builder
General contractor.- Koninklijke Woudenberg.
Construction.- IMd Raadgevend Ingenieurs.
Brickwork.- Rodruza.
Masonry work.- Metselwerk Adviesbureau Vekemans.
Construction.- IMd Raadgevend Ingenieurs.
Brickwork.- Rodruza.
Masonry work.- Metselwerk Adviesbureau Vekemans.
Area
1,550 sqm. memorial.
Dates
Construction started in 2019. The project opened on September 19, 2021.
Location
Holocaust Memorial & Dutch Theater (Jewish Cultural Quarter), Plantage Middenlaan 24, 1018 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Supplier companies
Stainless steel.- AIP partners BV, ABT.
Engravings.- Reijnders Engraving and Laser Engineering B.V.
Installations.- Swart installatietechniek.
Semi Pavement.- ecoDynamic.
Trees.- Ebben Tree Nursery.
Beech Hedges.- Quick Hedge.
Engravings.- Reijnders Engraving and Laser Engineering B.V.
Installations.- Swart installatietechniek.
Semi Pavement.- ecoDynamic.
Trees.- Ebben Tree Nursery.
Beech Hedges.- Quick Hedge.
Awards Premios
Architectural Review Public Awards, shortlist, 2022.
Gouden Piramide 2022 (Golden Pyramid), nomination shortlist.
BNA Beste Gebouw van het Jaar (Best Building of the Year), Honorable mention, 2022.
Selected for Architecture in the Netherlands Yearbook, 2022.
Arcam Amsterdam Architecture Prize 2022.
Gouden Piramide 2022 (Golden Pyramid), nomination shortlist.
BNA Beste Gebouw van het Jaar (Best Building of the Year), Honorable mention, 2022.
Selected for Architecture in the Netherlands Yearbook, 2022.
Arcam Amsterdam Architecture Prize 2022.
Photography
Daniel Libeskind
Daniel Libeskind, American architect of Polish-Jewish descent (Lodz, 1946). Son of Holocaust survivors, Libeskind emigrated with his family to America in 1964. He achieved renown as an architect with his designs for the Jewish Museum in Berlin and the master plan for the reconstruction of the site of the World Trade Center in New York. In May 2013 Libeskind was also appointed architect of a Holocaust memorial in Columbus, the capital of the American state of Ohio.
Libeskind’s studio has designed various museums and other cultural and public buildings all over the world. Libeskind himself has also held many academic positions, and he was the first holder of the Frank O. Gehry Chair at the University of Toronto. Among the numerous awards he has received is the Hiroshima Art Prize (2001) for artists who propagate international peace and understanding through their work. It was the first time the prize was awarded to an architect.
In 2011 Libeskind delivered the eighth Auschwitz Never Again Lecture in Amsterdam, and on that occasion he also received the Annetje Fels-Kupferschmidt Award, presented annually to an individual or organization for the exceptional way it has realized the goals of the Dutch Auschwitz Committee.
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