Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart

Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart

Stuttgart has gained a spectacular landmark: a new Mercedes-Benz World in Untertürkheim. The 2002 competition was won by a Dutch office of architects UN studio van berkel + bos.
This project perfectly embodies every superlative strived for: the largest automobile museum exhibiting examples of just one make of car, combined with a unique architectural design. The levels of the exhibition develop from the geometry of a double helix based on a triangular layout with a central atrium some 40 metres high. This creates two staggered walkways, repeatedly crossing over each other. One walkway incorporates the » myth rooms « which - without daylight - creates an interesting dark scenario. The other walkway emerges from the outer facade and opens into the » collection rooms «. Their extensive glass facades provide breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Three lift capsules take visitors up to the star shaped dome in a matter of only seconds. Here they are seemingly transported back 120 years to the very beginning of man’s mobility on horseback. This creates a dramatic contrast to Karl Benz’s first motor-driven vehicle in 1886. The journey back in time ends at ground level where » Fascination Technology « considers forward-looking technologies and designs.
The new Mercedes-Benz Museum represents an innovative era of architecture. Concept, planning, and realization make use of exemplary methods. Enthusiasts speak of »a modern digital age«, and it really does seem as if the architects are successfully defying all valid planning parameters to date. This new freedom means they no longer have to adhere to a layout, thereby enabling them to work with computer programs specifically developed for their particular needs.
Everybody involved has seen pioneer spirit and competence flow into developing a project which initially appeared to be impossible, producing this impressive end-result. Amazingly, all of this was accomplished within a construction period of just three years. Visitors are fascinated by the spectacular rooms and varied museum installations. The builder-owner is proud of its corporate philosophy - innovation, exclusiveness, and dynamics - embodied here in such an impressive way. BEGA luminaires form an integral part of this challenging multi-media performance.

Builder-owner: Daimler Chrysler AG, Stuttgart
Architects: UN studio van berkel + bos, Amsterdam
Realization: UN studio mit Wenzel + Wenzel, Stuttgart
Museum designer: prof hg merz, Stuttgart
Project management: Drees + Sommer, Stuttgart
Outside facilities: Knoll Landschaftsarchitekten, Holzgerlingen
Light planning: Ulrike Brandi Licht, Hamburg
Planning of elec. systems: Werner Schwarz GmbH, Stuttgart
Electrical installation: Speidel, Göppingen


Information Brochure 2 - 2007