Stacey Roesler

History of Uncertainty: Architecture of the Untold Story

More than ever, people live in a country other than the one they were born in. Migration is often not a choice, it is upon a person by political, environmental, and economic forces out of the control of the individual. Stories and histories of migration can be found across the globe, many untold and unrecognized, leaving hidden scars and faint memories of a different life. 

World War II resulted in an estimated 60 million people displaced. The current and continuing conflict in Syria has forcibly displaced approximately 11.6 million people. The ongoing Ukraine War of 2022 has left 6.6 million seeking refuge thus far. Behind these numbers, there are untold stories of suffering, loss, and grief. Berlin, Germany, has been working towards recovery of historical events for many years, transforming from a city of ruins to a multi-cultural centre, while being considerate of its history in design.    

Focusing the project within Berlin, the purpose of this thesis is to investigate the connection between architecture and migration, asking how architecture can become a storyteller for the experiences and histories of the untold. The Immigration Museum considers common themes and experiences of migration stories which translates into experiential architecture. It’s the goal to not only provide framework for migration stories, but to additionally give psychological experience to those that do not understand what it means to be a migrant.