A new place for community and encounters – the BCS cafeteria shines in new splendour
On 13 November 2025, the newly designed cafeteria at Berlin Cosmopolitan School was officially opened in a ceremony attended by parents and pupil representatives from the primary school. The space is now brighter, greener and more inviting than ever before.
What used to be primarily a functional dining room has now become a place for meeting and socialising. A sophisticated lighting concept, colours tailored to the space and natural materials create a warm atmosphere that invites people to eat, learn and exchange ideas together.
The centrepiece of the cafeteria is the new “green lung”, an installation built in the middle of the room consisting of illuminated plant shelves in which various indoor plants are grouped together to form a compact element. This is a project that can be supervised by the pupils and incorporated into the school curriculum. (Please check the content; suggestion: I think the reference to the educational concept is important.) Not only is it beautiful to look at, it also creates pleasant acoustics by dampening noise and improving the air quality in the room.
The new furnishings offer different seating options:
- bistro tables for smaller groups,
- benches and large tables for communal dining, and
- a lounge area for a cosier atmosphere.
During the redesign, great importance was attached to sustainability. The existing furniture and materials were largely refurbished and reused. Only a few new elements – including some chairs and the lounge seating area – were purchased.
The everyday lives of the pupils were also taken into account: two new cloakroom areas ensure that the children can hang up their jackets just like at home and no longer have to sit at the lunch table in their winter clothes.
This project is the result of a joint effort by the entire school community – from parents, teachers, pupils and the school management to architects Julia Kaschlinski and Ulrike Reccius from PEB+ Harm Reccius Architects, the cookery team led by Stefan Dicker and the Friends of Cosmo, who laid the foundation for the project’s implementation with a donation of €25,000 at the 2024 gala.
Special thanks also go to Yvonne Wende, the school’s founder, who promoted the project from the outset and has supported it continuously.
The result is a space that reflects what the Berlin Cosmopolitan School stands for – sustainability, community and appreciation.
