At first glance, the brick facade in variable grey tones does not reveal the fact that this central art depot in Potsdam is a reinforced concrete skeleton-frame structure. The north-light roofs, which reflect the historical industrial architecture of the area, were also executed in reinforced concrete. On the south side, their aluminium covering blends visually with the vertically structured facade in which a framed element sits with deep metal fins. Behind this lie the entrance, deliveries area and working spaces. Here, the facade is set flush with the neighbouring buildings, while on the north side it is again clad in brickwork and affords adequate space for the second stage of construction, in which the future sculptural depot will be housed. The structure, set on the site of the former German State Railroad workshop, complements the centre for science and restoration of the Foundation for Prussian Palaces and Gardens erected next to the Sanssouci Palace Park in 2017. This, too, is also a work by Staab Architects. With ideal spatial temperatures and moisture conditions, it has proved possible to preserve historical furniture, paintings, musical instruments and porcelain in the 17 cells, each of which forms its own fire compartment. In addition, there is a quarantine space for objects subject to infestation by pests as well as an acclimatization space. All load-bearing construction elements of the building - erected to passive-energy standards - were executed in concrete. Non-load-bearing walls consist of sandlime bricks or, in ancillary spaces, of plasterboard.
Thanks to their enormous storage capacity, the 84 cm external walls of engineering bricks, insulation and sandlime bricks result in an almost constant indoor spatial climate. As a result, it is possible to maintain virtually the entire volume of the building in a fully temperate condition. If extreme weather conditions do lead to deviations from reference values, temperatures can be adjusted.
Hitherto, the almost 28,000 treasures contained in the new central art depot were distributed over seven locations. Now they are stored in a highly secure sealed functional building, the outer appearance of which is not repellent, thanks to rhythmically laid out smoke-extraction openings and rainwater pipes and the asymmetric gables.
