Our Vision
Winning design by A24 LANDSCHAFT Lanndschaftsarchitektur in collaboration with Holzer Kobler Architekturen and ARGUS Stadt und Verkehr, 2026
Checkpoint Charlie is a place where Berlin’s local history and world history intersect directly: The sector boundary between East and West Berlin ran through this border crossing, and it was here that local experiences met the global conflicts of the Cold War.
Starting in 2030, the “Forum Checkpoint Charlie” will transform this historic site into a memorial that connects these stories. The Forum will tell the story of the former border crossing, offer international perspectives on the Cold War, and invite people from Berlin, Germany, and around the world to engage with the site’s history and enter into dialogue with one another. This is not just about the past, but also about current issues: How does the East-West conflict continue to shape our world today? And what traces has the division of the world left behind—in societies, landscapes, or culture? At the “Forum Checkpoint Charlie,” we want to provide a space to explore these questions.
In September 2026, a competition organized by the Senate Department for Urban Development, Construction, and Housing determined the future design of Checkpoint Charlie. The first-prize-winning design by the team from A24 LANDSCHAFT Landschaftsarchitektur, in collaboration with Holz Kobler Architekturen and ARGUS Stadt und Verkehr, forms the basis for further planning and subsequent construction.
The design draws on elements of the former border architecture and reinterprets them. It highlights the few remaining above-ground traces of the former border crossing and also incorporates the archaeological findings beneath the current plaza. An information pavilion serves as the first point of contact for visitors. A free outdoor exhibition invites visitors to explore the historic site on their own.
The “Forum Checkpoint Charlie” is intended to become a place for visitors to the city and Berliners alike, where history can be experienced, discussed, and collectively reflected upon. Events, educational seminars, guided tours, and participatory formats will complement the outdoor exhibition. A variety of approaches will appeal to people with different interests and levels of prior knowledge. The goal is not merely to convey history; the site is also intended to raise questions and facilitate dialogue.
Until the plans are implemented, Checkpoint Charlie will not remain dormant. Research, collection, and outreach are already underway. Temporary exhibitions, events, guided tours, and digital offerings bring history to the site. Eyewitnesses are being interviewed, new sources are being tapped, and discussions are taking place with experts and the public about which stories the future memorial site should tell.
Get Involved
What ideas and wishes do you have for the “Forum Checkpoint Charlie”? Let us know your ideas and get involved!
Cultural Participation Process
In the summer of 2023, the Berlin Wall Foundation organised a cultural participation process on the new place of remembrance at Checkpoint Charlie. Interested people were able to contribute their ideas on site and digitally, as well as talk about their personal connections to the border crossing. At the same time, several workshops were organised with experts in the field. The results have been summarised in a final report and will be incorporated into the conceptual considerations.
Urban Planning Participation Process
In 2022, the Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing organised a participation process for interested citizens on the urban design of the site. This resulted in a set of guidelines that form the basis for the design of the place of remembrance, as well as for new development on the surrounding land.
Here you can find information about the planning process of the state of Berlin at Checkpoint Charlie.