This “memorial site” complements two other key complexes of the German capital: the Jewish Museum of Daniel Libeskind and the “Memorial to the Destroyed Jews of Europe” by Peter Eisenman, but if they are dedicated to the victims of the Nazi regime, then “Topography of Terror” reminds of criminals. Its complex includes the location of the demolished headquarters of the SS, SD and Gestapo - the main elements of the "apparatus of violence" of Nazi Germany. Since 1987, a small open-air exhibition was organized on this territory, but it was immediately clear that a permanent information center was also needed, playing an educational, scientific and memorial role, reminiscent of the atrocities of the Nazis.
Initially, Peter Zumthor won the competition for his project, but after almost 10 years of technical and financial difficulties caused by them, they were forced to abandon his option, although three staircase and elevator nodes had already been erected (then they were demolished). The new competition was won by architect Ursula Wilms of Heinle, Wischer & Partner and landscape architect Heinz Hallmann. They listened to the wishes of the customers: they needed a structure that would not distract the visitor from the traces of history - a vacant lot with the foundations of demolished buildings, they needed a project without an attempt to interpret the past, without emotional stress.
The new building serves as just one of the points of the route for the inspection of the complex; it does not attract or repel the viewer, leaving him the freedom to choose how to inspect the Topography of Terror. The Information Center is a square building (54 mx 54 m) with a metal and glass facade, partially recessed into the ground. In the center there is a light courtyard with a small reservoir. The building contains 800 m2 of exhibition space, an auditorium with 199 seats, a library, educational and administrative premises.
