The German Technology Museum in Berlin's Kreuzberg district will receive a new entrance building after BIM Berlin Real Estate Management GmbH awarded the general planning contract following a Europe-wide architectural competition. A team led by Vienna-based querkraft architects won the contract with a sustainable and architecturally striking design that impressed the jury.
The planned new building will be constructed between the museum's main building from 2001 and the historic imperial-era head building, serving as the new centerpiece of the museum complex with a spacious foyer and rooftop park. The design is intended to significantly enhance the site both architecturally and functionally, creating a clear architectural identity while respecting the historic location along the Hallesches Ufer.
The winning design emerged from a multi-stage competition and negotiation process involving 23 submissions from across Europe. The consortium led by querkraft architects was already recognized as one of the prize winners in November 2023. The subsequent negotiation process aimed to determine which firm could best fulfill not only architectural requirements but also functional and economic demands. The planning team includes querkraft architects for overall design, Werner Sobek AG for structural engineering, Gebäudetechnik Kainer GmbH for technical systems, and Green Cities GmbH for landscape architecture.
The jury particularly praised the urban design gesture of the proposal and its planned integration into the museum landscape. The architects convinced evaluators with both their design quality and comprehensive sustainability concept. The goal was to develop a structure that respects the historic site while creating its own contemporary identity that enhances the museum's connection to its surroundings.
The new entrance building will feature a generous foyer with open spatial structures serving as a central hub for visitors. Plans include a publicly accessible rooftop park designed to better connect the museum with its neighborhood environment. Additional amenities will include a museum restaurant and new shop to complement the entrance area and enhance the visitor experience. Both the museum administration and city officials emphasized that the new building will be fully accessible and provide better interior navigation for guests.
Oliver Friederici, State Secretary for Social Cohesion, stated that the design creates a clear address with recognition value and secures the museum's long-term operations. Museum Director Joachim Breuninger also expressed satisfaction with the selection, describing it as a real eye-catcher that will significantly improve the visitor situation and overall museum experience.
From BIM's perspective, the project represents a commitment to sustainable construction practices. Managing Director Matthias Hardinghaus highlighted the planned photovoltaic system and use of resource-conserving materials as key features of the environmentally conscious design approach. The sustainability aspects were crucial factors in the selection process and align with Berlin's broader environmental goals.
The new construction continues the Technology Museum's ongoing development story, which began in 1983 with the opening of the Museum of Transport and Technology. The site has been expanded multiple times since then, most recently with the main building in 2001. The new entrance building represents another building block designed to future-proof the museum and strengthen its role as one of Berlin's most visited state museums.
The Technology Museum in Kreuzberg ranks among Germany's most significant technology museums, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The institution features exhibitions covering transportation, communication, energy and production technology, as well as everyday culture. The new entrance building will serve as a modern gateway to these extensive collections while providing improved facilities and visitor services that meet contemporary museum standards.
