Judaicum
What is Judaicum?
The Stiftung Neue Synagoge Berlin – Centrum Judaicum is a cultural institution in Berlin dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Jewish life in the city. Located in the historic New Synagogue, it functions as a museum, archive, and educational space.
The Challenge
We were tasked by Centrum Judaicum to design a contemporary digital platform, Jewish Mitte Berlin, preserving the Jewish history of Berlin’s Spandauer Vorstadt and Scheunenviertel. To bring these stories to light, we developed an interactive map as the project’s focal point, bridging the gap between historical weight and modern exploration. By tracing 17th-century fortifications against the contemporary S-Bahn route, the platform allows users to navigate layers of time, seamlessly connecting physical locations with the personal biographies and cultural heritage that once defined the heart of Jewish life in Berlin.
Accessibility
A major focus was making sure this history is open to everyone. We paired a modern aesthetic with high-contrast visuals and audio-guided map routes to keep the journey inclusive. By combining these design choices with a dedicated accessibility tool, we made the site easy to navigate for every visitor, ensuring that the neighborhood's stories remain clear and engaging for a global audience.
Typography
We selected Open Sans for its exceptional legibility across various screen resolutions. Its open letterforms and tall x-height ensure that both dense historical narratives and small map labels remain sharp and readable. This choice was central to our accessibility strategy, providing a comfortable, inclusive reading experience for every user while maintaining a clean, contemporary aesthetic.
Color Palette
The color palette prioritizes visual clarity and high contrast to aid navigation. Deep greens form a grounded background for the historical content, while vibrant orange and pink are used specifically to highlight interactive map points and buttons. This clear separation between static information and clickable actions makes the site more accessible and easier for users to scan. By creating a strong visual hierarchy, we ensured the platform remains intuitive and easy to read for every visitor.
Web Development: Monika Laurinaviciute, Sergio Sánchez
Web Design: Valeria Rimkevich, Leona Rega, Fanni Dedeyan
Project Manager: Mia Pavlinović