Grimmwelt

BRIEF: Exhibition building for the presentation of the Brothers Grimm’s works.

ADDED VALUE: The design translates the historical and topographical features of the surrounding park into a continuous open space, which invites visitors to wander through the exhibition.

The Brothers Grimm Museum, Grimmwelt Kassel, is located in a picturesque park on the slope of an area called Weinberg close to Kassel city centre where it blends into the gently undulating landscape. Old stone steps, wall fragments, pergolas, planted terraces and lush vegetation contribute towards the special atmosphere of the park. The new exhibition building continues the topography of the surroundings in an accessible roof landscape and thus provides the park with an open stairway that leads up to a terrace with a view across Kassel.

This design leads to a split-level arrangement in the interior. The tiered space is arranged around a central introductory hall presenting the various key subjects of the exhibition in a fascinating dialogue. Visitors experience a place with diverse atmosphere and one that focusses on German linguistics as well as the collection of the Grimms’ Fairy Tales. The foyer with a reception desk, a shop and waiting area is a long space stretching the whole length of the building. It ends in a light café with a panorama of Kassel’s Karlsaue and the southern part of the city.

Volume
gfa 6.000m² (roof area included)
construction volume 24.400m³

Client
Stadt Kassel

VOF Verfahren
1st Prize 2012

Realisation
2013 - 2015