© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

In the course of reorganizing the city museum of Berlin both the exhibition from 1918 up to the present and the central museum administration are being accommodated in the „Marinehaus“, an empty union building from 1907. The design concept corresponds adequately to both aspects of the program and puts focus not only on the museum, but also on the administrative functions. The restored tower, which was removed in the 1980ies and is now interpreted as a contemporary part of the building complex, recovers the asymmetrical façade of the building and its relevance in the urban context. Visible from across the river Spree the tower signals the new meaning of the „Stadtmuseum“ into the inner city of Berlin.

© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

Two large openings in the tower façade emphasize the museum’s relationship to the city: the one on the street level as the main entrance to the museum, the other one on top as a panorama window for the main meeting room of the museum administration.

© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

The buildings’ overall scheme works in two horizontal layers: The exhibitions occupy the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor of main hall building, tower and side wing, each of them about 5 meters high. Above that the administration is organized using the roof space of the main hall building, the upper three floors added onto the side wing and the higher tower levels.

© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

The exhibition areas (temporary and permanent exhibition) have separate accesses, but are nevertheless spatially connected. The exposed ribbed concrete ceilings span over 18 meters creating column-free spaces, the material marks them as added construction units. The ribbed ceiling allows for a glare-free lighting, a rail system integrated in the concrete ribs offers variable exhibition scenarios. Here sliding panels are suspended, which can be supplemented alternatively by showcases, projection screens and other display devices.

© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

Along the west façade a long stairway connects the exhibition spaces and offers a number of alternative parcours through the building. From here the visitor can take a break and look out to the museum’s main building „Märkisches Museum“ across the street and to the city of Berlin.

© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

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© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

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© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

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© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

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© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

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© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

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© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.

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© As-if Architekten . Pubblicata il 13 Marzo 2009.