One of the most visited museums of Bavaria will be redesigned and expanded in the north wing of the Nymphenburg Palace. The extension of the »Biotopia – Naturkundemuseum Bayern« will replace an institute building from the 1970s, which in itself is not a protected historical landmark.
In addition to the sensitive handling of the historic site, the building’s importance and the expected visitor attendance require a visible address and a strong identity of the museum.
These demands are met by converting the building’s courtyard into the actual address of the museum and indicating the museum with two archways on either side. To visitors coming from the city and the palace garden the eastern archway signals the entrance of the museum. The western archway opens the palace estate towards the botanical garden as an impetus for a stronger connection of the two compounds. An additional entrance from the neighboring orangery emphasizes the central access of the courtyards, which is characteristic of the palace estate.
The extension will be fitted into the contour of the previous building. With its storey-wise zoned facades and red tiled roofs, the new building blends in with the facades of the castle. Towards the courtyard the museum benefits of the greater freedom of design; the northern wing of the building is adjusted in its depth to the use as a museum, appearing to visitors with a long glazed façade and incorporating the courtyard as a space for exhibition, recreation and activity. Here the building presents itself clearly as the modern, innovative museum that it is with a worldwide renowned collection to show.

Client Freistaat Bayern, 
vertreten durch 
das Staatliche Bauamt München

Occupants Biotopia – Naturkundemuseum Bayern

For performance phases 1 – 9

Usable floor area 12,800 sqm