Protecting One of Europe's Greatest Institutions

The Natural History Museum of Berlin is one of Europe’s great science museums. Its 30 million strong collection is as impressive as it is vast. But what really makes the institution stand out is that it is much more than a public museum; it is one of the foremost centres of scientific learning in the world. The museum is born out of the Humboldt University of Berlin, sits under its dominion and is fundamental to its research. Its collections are both historic artefacts and scientific evidence – parts of our past that help us understand our future.

Yet despite its grand status, the institution’s old 19th-century building is a shadow of its former self. Damage sustained in World War Two has led to a renovation backlog. It lacks retail spaces, its utility systems are outdated and conservation conditions are inadequate. The museum is in desperate need of a refresh.

The institution was given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to overhaul the museum when they were awarded €660 million, one of the largest ever investments in a natural history museum. Spending this money wisely and sensibly, getting maximum return on investment, is no mean feat. The museum has undertaken a series of planning exercises for how they would reshape their organisation, refresh the building and reinvest in the collections.

We were asked to stress test the museum’s thinking, validate their hypotheses and turn it into an implementation plan.

We assembled a joint venture of three specialist bodies, including David Chipperfield architects and Arup engineers, to examine the new museum and visitor experience at the macroscale. Together, working out of Arup’s Berlin office, we diligently planned how to make the new museum work. Akin to civic planning for a cultural building, we mapped out how to make the space function seamlessly both a public space and a fully functioning learning space. The result is clear, concise roadmap to transform the institution into a fully integrated, open and internationally renowned museum for the 21st century.