At the heart of the building designed by Atelier Kempe Thill in the open international competition for the new Jewish Cultural Center lies a synagogue. The synagogue is not exposed but enclosed within a protective ring, formed by the remainder of the building. Between the ring and the synagogue there remains about 2.5 meters of space. Light falls into this space through the roof; by means of screened glass plates this light indirectly enters the synagogue. Thus, a space is created that is open and enclosed at the same time. The outside skin consists of a 70-centimeter-deep climate facade, in which plants are grown.