State Museum for Art and Design in Nuremberg

The insertion of the museum’s large volume into the small-scale historical urban fabric represented something of a balancing act. The building has a floor area of 8,000 m2 and is dominated by a 100-metre-long concave glazed facade. This is first perceived within the street block when visitors enter the new museum square. The spatial concept is based on three main zones, housing the collection, the foyer, and the administration and café. Access to the exhibition areas is via a central staircase. Here, formal restraint is offset by the sensuous spatial design, with lighting playing a special role. An even level of daylight is provided for the objects of art, while artificial lighting soffits afford scope for striking effects in the design department.