DETAIL Prize 2014: Kunstmuseum Ahrenshoop

Nominated for the DETAIL Prize 2014: Staab Architekten, Berlin, Germany
Kunstmuseum Ahrenshoop, Ahrenshoop, Germany

The architecture of the Kunstmuseum Ahrenshoop by Staab Architekten transforms the rural building type of the region into a contemporary museum structure. Starting from the idea of a group of thatched houses, a conglomerate of single-room houses has been developed as an exhibition building. By fusing the roof forms, a sculptural structure is created that connects the apparently individual buildings into a complex. Thus, the museum matches the scale of the surrounding neighbourhood. The materials used for the roof and facade surfaces were chosen for their similarity to natural reed. Over time, brass panels with variable canted ribbing will match the colour of the surrounding thatched houses through oxidation. Visitors enter the building from a forecourt; a central ground-floor foyer acts as a distributor and can be used as an event space. Views of the surrounding landscape are offered via precisely positioned openings. A second entrance marks a rest area that has a southern-facing terrace with views of the open countryside. With the exception of a small gallery, the exhibition rooms are designed as daylit rooms, with natural light entering via skylights arranged in the ridge area. A special prism system reflects direct light, allowing only diffuse zenith light to enter.