Neues Museum, Berlin

David Chipperfield Architects designed the renovation to the New Museum in Berlin, Germany, completed in 2009. Friedrich August Stüler designed the original building in 1859. Chipperfield’s renovation restored and brought continuity to the parts that were destroyed in World War 2.

The new materials are bright and pure, to uplift and bring profundity to the existing structure. Marble from Saxon was mixed in concrete to create a shining prefabricated surface. The modern structure is as simple as possible, in order to respect the original structure. Each space is considered individually in terms of character and the affect it has on visitors. Importantly, the restoration does not attempt to imitate the old, but complements it.

The building itself thus speaks of the glory of old civilizations, the urgency of German unification, the ravages of war, and hope springing anew.

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(glasseyes view– flickr/creative commons license)

(dalbera– flickr/creative commons license)

(dalbera– flickr/creative commons license)

(achimbodewig– flickr/creative commons license)

(achimbodewig– flickr/creative commons license)