The long awaited re-opening of Berlin’s Neues Museum (New Museum) is approaching. The €30million under-budget renovation by British Architect David Chipperfield in conjunction with conservation Architect Julian Harrap is complete, and the Museum due to re-open to the public in October 2009. It will once again house collections from the Egyptian Museum, including the iconic “Bust of Nefertiti”, and exhibits from the Museum of Pre and Early History.

The Neues Museum is located on Berlin’s Museum Island among other museums such as the Pergamon, Bode and Altes Museum. Originally designed by Architect Friedrich August Stüler and constructed between 1841 and 1859, it was destroyed by the British in World War II. Now, 60 years later a British architect has restored and re-presented it to Berlin.

Germany loves Chipperfield. Many of his seminal works are here, including the the Galerie am Kupfergraben, which is also located on Museum Island. However, the Neues Museum is set to be his finest masterpiece to date.

The new design approach was neither a full restoration nor a complete remodelling, but rather, one of timeless integration. Following the guidelines of the Venice Charter, Chipperfield’s design respects the historical structure in its different states of preservation. We are gently reminded of the Museum’s historical scars, and exhilarated by its newly re-mastered spaces.

Such a modest design and restoration approach has resulted in the project coming under budget, from €230m to €200m; an unusual outcome for national projects of this nature. Chipperfield’s humility is to be praised for not competing with the splendour of this ruin, but instead serving to highlight its magnificence: a thoughtful and brave strategy for any Architect.

The public had access for 3 days in March to view the building in its empty splendour. However, the official opening, showcasing its new collection is sure to be cultural highlight for Berlin in October. OTA-Berlin has a range of spacious holiday apartments ideally located within walking distance of Museum Island in the popular districts of Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg.

You view and book our apartments at www.ota-berlin.de

Author: E. La Crey

OTA-Berlin Constituency Blog, brought to you by OTA-Berlin Holiday Apartments