Papageno-Grundschule

by an unknown artist
(Year of creation unknown)

There is a wall mosaic in the entrance hall of the existing Papageno Primary School building. The title of the work, as well as the artist’s name and the year of creation, are as yet unknown. As part of the construction work for the extension, core drilling was required at the edge of the wall mosaic. However, to preserve the overall appearance, a suspended ceiling will be installed to completely conceal the drill holes in future. Any resulting damage will be repaired once the construction work is complete, and the wall mosaic will once again be visible to all.

The artist

Julia Herfurth studied Fine Art at the Bauhaus University in Weimar and Marmara University in Istanbul. In 2018, she completed the Master’s programme ‘Art in Context’ at the Berlin University of the Arts with distinction.

Issues relating to cultural and architectural history form the basis of Julia Herfurth’s artistic practice. She explores these themes through research and interviews with members of the public and experts, processing her findings through drawing, photography and various printmaking techniques – or culminating in exhibitions that combine different materials, artefacts and media. She has taken part in group exhibitions both in Germany and abroad and has also realised various exhibition projects as artistic co-director.

A major new-build project in Berlin-Mitte is the extension of the Papageno Primary School at Bergstraße 58, 10115 Berlin. The music-focused primary school will gain a large music hall, a library and additional classrooms thanks to the extension designed by Gruber + Pop Architects BDA. The ‘compartment school’ concept will be implemented not only in the new building but also in the existing building.

On Friday, 3 July 2026, the judging panel for the competition ‘Art in Architecture in connection with the extension to Papageno Primary School’ met at Bergstraße 58, 10115 Berlin. Chaired by the artist Vanessa Henn, the jury voted by a majority to recommend the implementation (1st prize) of the design ‘Berliner Interferenz — Ortsspezifik & Interaktion’ by the artist Julia Herfurth. The jury commended the design as a conceptually well-thought-out work with a compelling participatory approach. Particular praise was given to the combination of a challenging theme with age-appropriate and accessible educational content. The motifs provide a wide range of points of connection to the pupils’ living environment and catchment area, and offer opportunities for educational engagement.

Second place went to the competition entry “Papagena’s Tote Bag” by the artist duo Mitra Wakil & Fabian Hesse.