Construction Kicks Off for "Berlin Modern" Museum with a Sustainable Twist
Exciting news for Berlin's art and culture enthusiasts! Work on the Museum of the 20th Century, now renamed as "berlin modern," is progressing, as Minister of State for Culture, Claudia Roth, announced the laying of the foundation stone for the project on February 9, 2023. Planned to open in 2027, this Nationalgalerie Berlin location near Potsdamer Platz in the heart of Berlin will boast a hefty price tag of about €450 million.
Controversy aside, Roth aims to make the "berlin modern" a beacon of sustainability. Previous plans for this federally-funded museum—which has been under construction since 2019—included large access gates and foregoing solar panels for aesthetic reasons. Recent revisions, spearheaded by Roth, have seen those features scaled back or eliminated altogether.
The major changes include reducing the size of the entrances and incorporating solar panels onto the roof. To further foster a sustainable environment, the concrete-heavy area surrounding the museum will undergo a green transformation. The redesign, led by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron (responsible for iconic projects like the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg and Allianz Arena in Munich), will increase the construction cost by an additional €10 million, raising the total to €363 million.
Climate and energy concerns have become a top priority in German cultural policy, with figures like Roth leading the charge for eco-friendly initiatives. Her position as the driving force behind the "berlin modern" museum's commitment to sustainability demonstrates the German government's dedication to setting a green standard in the realms of cultural institutions.
Sustainability in Berlin's Museums
While specific details on the "berlin modern" museum's sustainable practices aren't presented, it's worth noting the direction that museums in Berlin and around the world are heading. Museums and cultural institutions, including Berlin's Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK), increasingly value sustainability in their practices. By incorporating digital accessibility, collaboration, and community involvement into their operations, they contribute to a sustainable future.
The Role of Digital Accessibility
Museums worldwide are adapting to the digital age to accommodate visitors with various needs and capabilities. Institutions such as the Uffizi Galleries in Florence, led by Eike Schmidt, are embodying this by implementing sophisticated entrance management systems, establishing social media presences, and adding digital reservation systems to manage visitor volumes.
Sustainability Networks and Collaborations
Networks like the Network of European Museum Organizations (NEMO) provide guidance for museums interested in promoting sustainability and honoring UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). NEMO encourages partnership between museums and other organizations, emphasizing the power of collaboration in inspiring a more sustainable future.
Current Projects and exhibitions
Berlin museums such as the Pergamon Museum and Kunstgewerbemuseum have ongoing sustainability initiatives. For instance, the Pergamon Museum is currently undergoing a lengthy renovation project, set to complete in 2037, which incorporates sustainable techniques—though specific details remain elusive. Conversely, the Kunstgewerbemuseum has unveiled the exhibition "RESPIRATION," showcasing sustainable landscape and garden design, proving that the art world isn't immune to the green movement.
In the end, while the "berlin modern" museum's sustainability plans aren't discussed in this article, it's apparent that public institutions are increasingly seeking eco-friendly developments. Watch this space as we continue to track the evolution of this exciting and much-anticipated Berlin project!
