Museum Restores Its Architectural Collection - Architecture Museum Returns after Hiatus
The venerable German Architecture Museum (DAM), located on Frankfurt's Museum Embankment, is set to resume operations this weekend following a three and a half year hiatus. The extensive renovation, which cost approximately 13 million euros, has revitalized the historical edifice.
The DAM, established in 1984 in conjunction with the neighboring Film Museum, marked the first building on the then-new Museum Embankment. Cologne architect Oswald Mathias Ungers transformed a Gründerzeit villa into a contemporary architectural gem, a house encased within another.
The building had fallen into disrepair, with inadequate fire protection, ill-suited escape routes, and insufficient temperature control. To address these issues, walls were demolished, and innovative sun protection glazing was installed. The renovation, while largely completed within budget, took an extra year to finish.
This Sunday marks both the museum's 41st birthday and the inauguration of the exhibition "41 Years - 41 Objects," which will be on display until June 15. On another floor, visitors can explore the exhibition "City for All – Urban Planning Hands-On," running until September 7. Two additional exhibitions, "Building in Times of Climate Change" and "Challenges of New Neighborhoods in Germany," are scheduled to open in June.
Several other museum buildings in Frankfurt are currently undergoing renovation, including the Schirn Kunsthalle, which will relocate to a temporary site in Bockenheim this year, and the Museum of Modern Art, currently closed for fire protection renovations.
In parallel, the arts community in Frankfurt features other exciting exhibitions. For instance, "Archives & Orbits" at Bernhard Knaus Fine Art showcases works from five artists, exploring themes of order, preservation, memory, and time, and will be on view until June 10, 2025. For the latest information on exhibitions at the DAM, visitors are advised to consult the official museum website or contact them directly.
The revitalized DAM, starting its 42nd year, emphasizes a commitment to education by hosting an ongoing exhibition titled "41 Years - 41 Objects," promoting a deeper understanding of architectural history until June 15. To enhance the local community's lifestyle, vocational training workshops will also be scheduled, focusing on home-and-garden design, adding to the practical application of their architectural lessons.
