2010-11-01T05:34:00.000-07:00

The extension of the municipal museum for the Documenta city Kassel evokes a special dialectic relationship: A new and very modern copper clad roof strengthens the buildings position within its urban context. At the same time, the new roof evokes a material reference towards historic architecture almost as the obviously new could have already been here.

The shape of the roof results from the requirements of the spatial program applied in conjunction with local spacing and zoning laws and also structural considerations. The copper clad roof is a modern interpretation of a mansard roof that can be found historically within the museum landscape of Kassel. Together with the historic building it is forming a unique composition that is remarkable as a civic building design that is capable of surpassing the city of Kassels boundaries. The existing eaves of the old building will remain as the new roof will keep a shadow gap toward the old building. The intense but at the same time harmonic dialog between old and new will become the trade mark for this building even before you enter the museum that is displaying historical and new developments of the city. The arcane roof addition and its shiny materiality, first, the luminous red copper cladding and later the greenish patina, evoke an attraction that represent a crowning completion for the old facades and enhancing their historic value.

The enduring art installation “Fluxus” by the artist Stefan Sous, a shining crosswalk, guides the visitor over the Staendeplatz.

For the interior of the building the existing post war staircase and partition walls will be removed to achieve open and light spaces. Entrance, cashier, shop, information and café are placed within a single spatial furniture that organizes the entrance level. A new central circulation opens the building towards its vertical axis and connects the different levels through a void that can also be used for curatorial purposes. The exhibition is organized within a flexible and continuous space on three levels. The lower garden in the back creates an intimate exterior space the roof terrace adjacent to the bar and the lecture hall allows a grand view over the city of Kassel.

Municipal Museum Kassel