The Neue Nationalgalerie Berlin won the European Architectural Heritage Intervention Award for its refurbishment

The Neue Nationalgalerie, designed by the famous Bauhaus architect Mies van der Rohe, symbolizes modernism and has become an icon.

By Christiane Wagner

The Neue Nationalgalerie underwent renovation by David Chipperfield Architects from 2015 to 2021. Their work on the refurbishment earned them the European Architectural Heritage Intervention Award in Barcelona.

Every two years, a group of European architectural players gives the European Architectural Heritage Intervention Award to outstanding projects in architectural heritage. According to the jury’s statement, the Neue Nationalgalerie building was restored to its original state through a meticulous intervention that made it look like nothing had ever happened. The structural changes were carried out with great attention to detail, resulting in an impressive statement showcasing the highest level of architecture, heritage, and intervention.

The project was conducted under strict monument protection guidelines, focusing on refurbishing and reusing the original components and materials. New building materials were only used in exceptional cases. The building also underwent modernization in areas such as air conditioning, electronics, and security to meet the demands of a museum in the 21st century.

The Neue Nationalgalerie showcases Mies van der Rohe’s architecture and is known for its open hall and a flat roof that appears to be floating. The spacious showrooms highlight the importance of urban functionality and technological innovation. Mies van der Rohe believed in creating functional forms using glass, steel, and stones to provide an ordered sequence of geometric space. Modern architectural styles change over time, but the aesthetic experience remains integral to cultural heritage. These architectural forms promote coexistence with technology, preserving culture while embracing innovations in architectural design.

Its minimalistic design and glass enclosure set the perfect tone for the collection. The main hall or glass pavilion serves as the venue for temporary exhibitions, while the lower level houses the permanent exhibition. Alongside historical accounts, the exhibit also features artwork from the museum’s collection that visually connects with the building’s architecture.

The collection at Neue Nationalgalerie features a stunning range of paintings and sculptures, spanning from classical modernism to the 1980s. The collection’s focal point is German Expressionism, with key works by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Otto Dix, and Max Beckmann. Some pieces take us into the world of Surrealism by artists such as Dalí, Miró, and Picasso, as well as works by Klee and Kandinsky that showcase the teachings of the world-renowned art and design school, Bauhaus. Additionally, large canvases featuring colorful and abstract works by American painters Barnett Newman, Frank Stella, and Ellsworth Kelly mark the beginning of a new era in art.

The Neue Nationalgalerie is located near Potsdamer Platz on the Reichpietschufer. Potsdamer Straße 50, Berlin-Tiergarten.

For more information, please visit: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin