The concept for the extension wing for Bodemuseum foresees a skywalk as well as an underground connection to the coming architectonic promenade. The promenade shall enable visitors of the museum island to cross the extension wing without having to leave the promenade. This integrates the extension wing into the general concept of the museum island. The new wing is not a museum of its own, this means visitors can reach all museums and the extension wing through the planned main entrance at James-Simon gallery. The visitor has the option to enter or leave the museum underground or on the 4th floor. This is very convenient for visitors as it avoids unnecessary ways or detours.
When the visitor in this concept reaches the museum through the underground tunnel, he experiences the special atmosphere already when entering. This atmosphere is created by illuminating only the room-high, built-in showcases displaying the exhibits in the otherwise dark room. At the end of the passage, there is a freely suspended stairway leading to the foyer. This concept is realized by folds that give the extension wing its characteristic form. The folds are specially highlighted by setting back the façade by 1m. The borders of the plot are filled in to the building by projection. The main entrance facing west, to which the building opens out, has an outdoor area that invites people to stroll, and leads the visitors coming from the Spree into the newly designed area.
Indoors, the differently high levels with the related airy rooms change the perception of the exhibits. Smaller objects can be presented in lower rooms, bigger ones in higher rooms. Show-walls can be hung into the glass façade. This gives opportunity to open certain areas depending on the kind of exhibition, to interconnect views, or to close certain sections.
The entrance area is furnished with a free form made of book shelves. In the outer section, it accommodates the box offices, and in the inner section, it accommodates the kitchen with café and museum shop. Visitors can reach the higher shelves through ladders as in libraries to select books. The entrance area is separated from the exhibiting area by a walkway and a staircase, therefore it can be used also outside opening hours. Access to the special exhibition is provided through the walkway on the ground floor. Visitors also have the option to use the stairway next to the walkway to reach the 1st floor and enter the permanent exhibition area. This position offers visitors a view of the entire floor. The exhibition area spreads out over two floors, narrowing down from the moment when the 2nd floor folds in. This area has the lowest floor height. It is used for presentation of sculptures, as the labyrinth of supports and the related “recesses” ideally display the sculptures, and provide a perfect
360-degrees-view.
The workshops are in the basement. The basement is illuminated through an atrium of 5m width. The exhibition area seems to float above the atrium. Within this exhibition area, the atrium can be experienced in a projection of a 2-storey gallery. The height of the external wall provides room for large-format paintings.
The skywalk permeates the extension wing and connects the gallery on the 3rd floor with the Bodemuseum. The skywalk is not only a passage to walk through, it is also an integral part of the folding. The added height of the skywalk creates a representative entrance area illuminated by skylight.