Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin, Germany

Object Type
Museums

Client
Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz, vertreten durch das Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung

Architects
David Chipperfield Architects Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH, Berlin

Completion
2021

Expertises
Thermal Insulation & Energy Performance Calculation

The Neue Nationalgalerie at Berlin's Kulturforum is a world-class architectural icon and the culmination of the life's work of architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The listed building, which is considered a classic of modernism, was built between 1965 and 1968. After almost 50 years of uninterrupted use, acute deficiencies and safety risks in the building technology, fire protection and, in particular, the building fabric were rectified by means of a comprehensive refurbishment in line with the requirements of listed buildings. At the same time, the exhibition operations were brought up to contemporary museum standards. Visitor facilities such as the cloakroom, café and museum shop were also modernised.

Due to the strict conservation requirements for the external appearance and the spatial proportions, only low construction heights were available for thermal insulation measures. Under these conditions, suitable structural conditions were created to meet the strict climate requirements and energy-saving thermal insulation was improved. This ensured the usability of the rooms, particularly in the basement. In order to minimise the movement joints, the temperature-related linear expansion of the reinforced concrete components and the steel structure were comprehensively investigated. The elaboration and testing of the sealing measures in the foundation structure also proved to be challenging in order to develop reliable and robust constructions for connection to the existing pressurised water-retaining seal.

The project was one of the winners of the RIBA International Awards for Excellence 2024.

Image Copyright
1 Thomas Bruns
2 Thomas Bruns
3 Thomas Bruns