Neues Museum

Of course there is no one favourite at Globescope but some are more favourite than others. David Chipperfield is one of those ‘more favourites’. But this story isn’t about David Chipperfield Architects but rather their once in a century, beautiful museum project in Berlin, the Neues Museum.

Neues Museum opened 2009. David Chipperfield Architects.

There will be more to come about David Chipperfield Architects, but clearly the Neues Museum has allowed Chipperfield to establish a long term base in Berlin and enable him to craft his wonderfully refined architecture in partnership with Berlins commitment to restore its heritage buildings.

Built between 1843 and 1855, the Neues Museum was heavily damaged during World War 2, patch repaired in the 1980’s, until Chipperfield was commission in 2003 to restore and reinterpret. Careful not to cover over history, the building now shows the scars of time and in essence, the building itself is serving its part as a museum, on display. Newly inserted building programme is clearly defined whilst the original fabric sits in contrast. Open to the public 2009, Chipperfields’ use of terrazzo provides a clean palette for the heritage red brick to be celebrated. A newly inserted ceremonial staircase mimics the original stair (damaged beyond repair) in what is a ‘great hall’. Seeming detached from the original building fabric, this approach of separation and detachment, is echoed in the gallery exhibits, in which frameless glass display cases sit freestanding for the viewer to see the exhibit ‘in the round’.

Chipperfield has established a language that echoes the original Friedrich August Stüler designed brick building, whilst also providing a modern platform is which the new museum doesn’t just mimic the past but instead stands strongly, looking towards the future.

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