Sharks, turtles, or coral: After a comprehensive modernization, the German Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund shines in new splendor – and once again invites visitors to discover the colorful world of tropical seas. Within the historic walls of a medieval monastery church, tradition and modernity merge: New exhibitions, an expanded aquarium tour, and significant improvements in accessibility and energy efficiency characterize the renovated museum. The last major renovation took place almost half a century ago – high time for a contemporary redesign. Accordingly, the Stuttgart-based firm Reichel and Schlaier Architects approached the project with great care. The renovation aimed to preserve the character of the listed building while simultaneously introducing new features. A key design and functional element of the new interior is the nora rubber flooring, which has been installed in the exhibition areas.
High-performance flooring for high public traffic
The German Oceanographic Museum is one of the most visited museums in Northern Germany, so its flooring needs to be exceptionally durable and long-lasting. "We needed a high-performance floor that could withstand the high daily visitor volume without any loss of quality or appearance," explains architect Bastian Matthias. "nora rubber flooring is the ideal solution in this respect." Besides its high durability, the resilient floor coverings also excel in terms of cleaning and maintenance. "The flooring requires no coating and can be cleaned without harsh cleaning agents," says project manager Matthias. This reduces not only the effort and costs of routine cleaning but also water and chemical consumption. This improves the overall balance over the entire life cycle – a clear advantage in terms of environmental protection and resource conservation.
Renovation with sensitivity in a historic space
The flooring was carefully selected to complement the atmosphere of the space and the existing material palette. The architects chose noraplan unita, distinguished by its intriguing combination of rubber and embedded granite chips. Laid in two different colours without grout, the surfaces appear seamless. A pastel green creates a calming ambiance, allowing the space to unfold naturally without being overpowering. A dark sea green was used to add deliberate accents and subtly guide visitors through the exhibition. Both shades harmonize with the existing colour scheme of the historic building. They subtly reference maritime themes and highlight the listed elements, such as Gothic pillars, vaults, and natural stone walls, without competing with them. In this way, the dignity and atmosphere of the former monastery church remain palpable.
