The protected space under the mighty overhang serves as the start and end point of the tour on the archaeological trail and for the exploration of the museum. A broad flight of steps in the building welcomes visitors and guides them gradually to the exhibition. The closed volume provides an exhibition situation that does justice to the light-sensitive exhibits and allows visitors to completely immerse themselves in the Celtic world. One of the highlights of the exhibition is the large panorama window, which offers an impressive view of the burial mound, thus incorporating it into the exhibition itself. The roof as a viewing platform offers a panoramic view of the landscape and reveals the sky.
The architecture of the exhibition is based on the superordinate principle of layering, inspired by the procedures of an archaeological excavation. The history and culture of the Celts is exposed in individual layers and models different zones and transitions in a neutral space. Differently shaped horizontal, vertically layered bands, projecting and receding, form changeable exhibits. These offer various presentation options and permit the integration of flat showcases, media stations, and glass display cabinets. There is no strict route to be followed, but rather an open, flexible exhibition concept bringing together the various aspects of the Celtic world. Every time visitors tour the exhibition, they discover something new and thus become ‘fellow researchers’.
The compact form is supported by a casing of large-format Corten steel plates. On the one hand, the material evokes associations with earthiness and weightiness, and on the other a reminiscence of the Celts’ progressive and skilfully artistic handling of metals. The rooms are as far as possible column-free thanks to six-metre-high steel frameworks in the closed side walls, which serve as supports for the light ceilings. The anchorage is a conventional solid reinforced concrete construction.
ECONOMY AND ECOLOGY
The compact building form and low surface area of the museum reduces the primary energy requirement and seals only a small area of the landscape. The ventilated metal façade of Corten steel represents an optimal energy standard, permanently protects the construction and minimises operating expenses due to a lack of ongoing maintenance costs. Highly insulating, recyclable building materials and thermal insulation glazing also contribute to cost reduction.
The technical building services were also designed with a view to sustainability and meet this requirement with a CO2-neutral wood pellet heating and a ventilation system with highly efficient heat recovery
ARCHITECT: kadawittfeldarchitektur
CLIENT: federal state of Hessen represented by HMWK and HBM
IMPLEMENTATION: 2008-2011, competition 1st prize 2006
CONSTRUCTION VOLUME: gfa 2,190 m² cubature 9,500 m³
AWARDS: ‘Auszeichnung vorbildlicher Bauten in Hessen 2011’
PHOTOGRAPHER: Werner Huthmacher, Berlin