Babelsberg Film University Konrad Wolf

Overview

Babelsberg Film University Konrad Wolf, Germany’s premier institution for film and media education and research, has recently undergone a significant transformation with the completion of high-quality sound studios within several existing buildings. The university’s previously specialized studios were fully redesigned to meet modern technological and acoustic requirements, ensuring an optimal environment for film production and post-production.

The project presented considerable challenges, as the conversion work was carried out while the buildings remained operational. This required meticulous planning and execution to minimize disruption while maintaining the highest acoustic and structural standards.

Program

The brief for this ambitious project was clear: to update and optimize the university’s sound studios to meet the demands of contemporary film and media production. The completed works include the design and refurbishment of 18 rooms, 13 of which now serve as dedicated high-quality audio rooms for production and screening, while five are video editing suites with simpler acoustic requirements.

Key architectural partners, Sedeño Bauplanung GmbH from Berlin, collaborated with the Film University Potsdam to oversee the renovations, working closely with the principal agency BLB Brandenburgischer Landesbetrieb für Liegenschaften und Bauen, Potsdam. The general contractor, Lindner Group, executed the construction work, ensuring precision and adherence to the highest standards of building acoustics.

Design

Given the complexity of the renovation, WSDG Berlin, carrying the legacy of ADA-AMC, was tasked with providing advanced acoustic solutions. The expert team, led by Wolfgang Ahnert and supported by Tobias Behrens (Room Acoustics) and Karim Ouali together with Jörn Hoffmeier (Building Acoustics), were instrumental in developing and implementing soundproofing and acoustic treatment strategies.

One of the primary challenges was addressing noisy material resonance issues in some rooms, which, while not caused by the renovations, still needed to be mitigated to ensure optimal acoustic performance. The team implemented sophisticated acoustic simulations, precise measurements, and innovative treatment specifications to enhance sound isolation and control reverberation time and modal sound field.

Each studio was individually treated to meet specific requirements, using a combination of advanced absorption materials and reflective/absorptive layered curtains. The main audio production rooms now feature state-of-the-art speaker systems, strategically designed to deliver focused sound energy while minimizing unwanted reflections and sound leakage.

Structural acoustic improvements were also completed, ensuring that the new spaces can function effectively without interference from adjacent areas. The result is a world-class facility that meets the highest standards of modern film and media production while preserving the architectural integrity of the university.

This project reached completion in early 2025, solidifying Babelsberg Film University’s reputation as a cutting-edge institution for film and media education.