Detail page - Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz

Built between 1965 and 1968, the Neue Nationalgalerie at Berlin's Kulturforum is a world-class architectural icon and the final and highlight of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's life's work. The building is currently being renovated from the ground up by the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR) on behalf of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation according to plans by David Chipperfield Architects.

The President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, Hermann Parzinger, explained: "Mies van der Rohe wrote international architectural history with the New National Gallery in Berlin. The challenges of renovating this jewel of post-war modernism should not be underestimated. I am pleased that planning and realisation are proceeding with all due care. In the end, we will regain a building that not only allows the magnificent architecture to shine again, but also offers a contemporary service for visitors."

The project can be divided into three major phases. The first and recently successfully completed phase included the preparatory construction measures, extensive dismantling and the removal of all existing pollutants. The dismantling of building components to be reinstalled later included the mapping, inventory and storage of around 35,000 objects. The spectrum ranged from the voluminous aluminium ceiling grilles, the high-quality brown oak wood panels of the cloakrooms and other wooden fixtures to the approximately 3,500 recessed ceiling lights and around 14,000 granite slabs, which were located on the façade of the plinth, on the terrace, in the upper exhibition hall and in the basement. Despite the complexity of the task, the process proceeded almost without any damage to the original material thanks to the diligence of those involved. At the end of this first phase, the building has now been stripped back to its shell and is ready for restoration.

The building had previously been cleared following its closure at the end of 2014, which included the restoration and storage of over 1,400 valuable and unique paintings and sculptures in interim depots.

The second phase of basic restoration began in June 2017. Among other things, it includes the extensive refurbishment of the reinforced concrete walls and ceilings. In addition, work on the excavation pit for the new depot and technical areas is almost complete. The roof of the exhibition hall is currently being sealed.

The refurbishment of the steel and glass façade in the upper exhibition hall is also a special task in this project phase. This also involves replacing the glass panes. The procurement of these glass panes measuring 3.43 x 5.60 metres is a special challenge, as such oversized glass panes are currently only produced in one factory in China. The company has already presented the first samples so that work on the steel and glass façade can begin shortly.

Petra Wesseler, President of the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning, emphasised: "The basic refurbishment of the Neue Nationalgalerie by Mies van der Rohe - an icon of modernism - is a project that fascinates us all. At the same time, we are faced with the challenging task of harmonising the conservation requirements with today's museum requirements while preserving the architectural heritage."

The third major phase will be the extension of the building, including the initial fit-out. To ensure that the Neue Nationalgalerie meets today's technical requirements in terms of air conditioning, fire protection and safety in future, the entire technical building equipment must also be renewed: for example, the underfloor heating, the ventilation technology and the basic pipework system in the floor slab. Finally, all the works of art and Mies van der Rohe's restored historical furniture will be returned to the refurbished Neue Nationalgalerie and supplemented with additional furnishings. Construction is scheduled for completion by the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning in 2019. The reopening of the exhibition is planned by the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation for 2020.

Further information and press photos at

• www.bbr.bund.de
• www.preussischer-kulturbesitz.de
• https://blog.smb.museum/begriff/neue-nationalgalerie/

Additional information

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Architect, born 1886 in Aachen, died 1969 in Chicago

Mies van der Rohe was one of the most important architects of modernism. The Neue Nationalgalerie, which was built from 1965 to 1968, is the only building designed by Mies van der Rohe to be erected in Germany after the Second World War.

Dirk Lohan

Architect, born 1938 in Rathenow

Lohan studied architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where his grandfather Ludwig Mies van der Rohe held a chair, and worked in his Chicago office. After graduating from the Technical University of Munich in 1962, he returned to Mies van der Rohe's Chicago office and became project manager for the construction of the New National Gallery in Berlin. After Mies van der Rohe's death in 1969, he continued to run his office, from 1975 under his own name and since 2004 as Lohan Anderson Architects. In 2016, Lohan Anderson Architects merged with Wight & Company.

The refurbishment of the Neue Nationalgalerie

Since the opening of the Neue Nationalgalerie by world-famous architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe at the end of the 1960s, no comprehensive refurbishment has been carried out. After almost 50 years of operation, the building has reached the end of its first life cycle. In the day-to-day operation of the building, clear defects became increasingly apparent and its usability was significantly restricted.

Following a two-stage negotiation process, the Berlin office of David Chipperfield Architects was awarded the contract for the basic refurbishment of the striking exhibition centre. Under the guiding principle: "As much Mies as possible", a comprehensive concept and design plans have been developed since mid-2012 with the help of numerous experts from various fields. The Chicago architect Dirk Lohan, grandson and former project manager of Mies van der Rohe, is an important advisor for the basic refurbishment of the museum.