Renowned architect Francis Kéré has broken ground on his first museum project in Europe with the construction of Museum Ehrhardt in the small village of Plüschow, located near Germany's Baltic Sea coast. The 1,400-square-meter facility represents Kéré's inaugural cultural project in Germany and marks a significant milestone in his architectural career. The museum is dedicated to photography and contemporary art, with a particular focus on preserving and showcasing the work and legacy of Alfred Ehrhardt (1901-1984), a prominent figure in Germany's New Objectivity movement.
Alfred Ehrhardt was a leading artist in the New Objectivity movement, a German modern realist artistic movement that emerged in the 1920s as a direct rejection of romantic idealism. The museum's mission centers on celebrating Ehrhardt's contributions to photography and art while providing a contemporary space for related works. The facility is strategically positioned beside Schloss Plüschow, a historic castle that currently serves as an artist residency and gallery space, creating a meaningful dialogue between historical and contemporary architectural elements.
The architectural design of Museum Ehrhardt reflects Francis Kéré's long-standing commitment to local craftsmanship and environmentally responsive building practices. The structure is primarily constructed from timber and clay materials, with its most distinctive feature being a central rammed earth wall that runs along the building's main axis. This substantial earthen wall, characterized by its rough yet precisely crafted texture, serves as both a physical and atmospheric anchor for the entire space. The wall's thermal mass provides natural climate control by balancing humidity and temperature throughout the building while establishing the spatial rhythm of the exhibition galleries.
Above this central earthen spine, an innovative timber framework spans the museum's full width. This wooden structure was developed in collaboration with HK Architekten from Austria and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of material performance and traditional joinery techniques. The framework combines regional craft traditions with forward-looking engineering solutions, embodying a circular approach to construction that prioritizes adaptability and longevity. Significantly, the timber structure is designed for future dismantling and reuse, reflecting sustainable building practices that consider the structure's entire lifecycle.
The museum's exterior form is defined by a distinctive timber pergola that deliberately recalls the familiar geometry of traditional rural gable roofs found throughout the German countryside. While honoring vernacular architectural traditions, the roofline opens strategically toward the surrounding agricultural fields and expansive sky, creating visual connections with the landscape. A carefully planned roof garden extends across the building's upper level, functioning as a biotope that creates both visual and ecological connections between the museum and its rural setting.
At ground level, the landscape design seamlessly integrates with the architectural elements through a thoughtfully designed garden that unfolds from the museum café. The garden features subtle topographical shifts that serve a practical purpose by guiding rainwater into designated collection areas. This innovative water management system reduces the building's dependence on external water sources while supporting the vegetation that softens the building's perimeter and enhances its integration with the natural environment.
Throughout the project, Francis Kéré's design language maintains a calm and tactile quality that reflects his architectural philosophy. The careful selection of materials – clay, timber, and rammed earth – creates a profound sense of groundedness that is entirely appropriate to the rural setting. The museum's open layout encourages fluid movement between interior and exterior spaces, breaking down traditional barriers and creating a seamless experience for visitors. The architecture and landscape are conceived as one continuous surface, with each element supporting the other through an economy of means that maximizes both environmental and aesthetic impact while maintaining sustainable building principles.
