Perhaps you’ve noticed the school’s rather unique architecture. The buildings of the Kepler-Schule consist of a sprawling, three-story main building with a hipped roof. It faces Zwillingestraße. Two wings connect to the main building. They form an open courtyard. This is the Kepler-Schule.
The facades here are light yellow-gray plaster. The main cornices are accentuated with red-brown terracotta framing. Sunlight streams into the classrooms. This was part of the original design.
Let’s step back in time to understand the origins of this Neukölln landmark. The Kepler-Schule was built between 1927 and 1929. The opening ceremony took place on May 29, 1929. Conrad Beckmann designed the school. He was a senior government official and construction advisor. He worked for the Prussian Ministry of Finance’s building department.
Beckmann sought to implement reformist ideas. He wanted to create a space where students and teachers would gladly enter. He envisioned light, air, and sun filling the rooms. This would brighten minds and make them receptive to learning.
Originally, the Kepler-Schule was named Kaiser-Wilhelms-Realgymnasium. It wasn’t until 1956 that the school was renamed. It was named after the famous astronomer Johannes Kepler. Kepler’s work laid the groundwork for Newton’s theory of universal gravitation.
Notice the sculpture in the courtyard. The courtyard features a figurative fountain. Josef Thorak created it.
Johannes Kepler was born prematurely on December 27, 1571. He lived in Weil der Stadt. As a child, Kepler suffered from smallpox. The disease left him with crippled hands and weak vision.
Kepler’s mother was a healer and herbalist. She was once accused of witchcraft. Kepler even hired lawyers to defend her.
Kepler initially taught mathematics in Graz. Later, he became the chief mathematician of Emperor Rudolf II. He also met Tycho Brahe in Prague. They began a fruitful collaboration.
Kepler was deeply religious. He incorporated religious arguments into his work. He believed God created the world according to an intelligible plan.
Kepler formulated the inverse-square law governing the intensity of light. NASA even named a planet-hunting mission after him.
Johannes Kepler died on November 15, 1630, in Regensburg. He was buried in a local cemetery. Sadly, the exact location of his grave was lost. This happened during the Thirty Years’ War.
The Kepler-Schule stands as a testament to innovative design. It embodies the spirit of its namesake. It fosters learning and growth within its walls. It’s more than just a school. It is a place where young minds can flourish.