One of the most visited museums of Bavaria will be expanded to three times its size in the northern-flanking building of the Nymphenburger Schloss. The extension of the Biotopia – Naturkundemuseum Bayern will replace an institute building from the 1970s, which in itself is not a protected historical landmark, with only its outer shape having to be preserved as a part of the palace estate. 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 recognizable identity of the museum.
These demands are met by converting the museum’s courtyard into the actual address of the building and indicating the museum with two large 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 and adapted to the stucco façade of the palace through a horizontal definition of each floor on the outside. The museum benefits of the greater freedom of design towards the courtyard; 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 discreetly yet 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