Street view of a modern building with copper facade next to traditional buildings.

A narrow street with a modern building featuring a copper facade on the left and traditional buildings on the right.

A person walks along a cobblestone street flanked by buildings with a modern copper facade on the left and traditional architecture on the right.
A historic brick building with arched doorways and a modern extension featuring vertical copper elements and a sloped roof.
A modern extension with vertical copper panels adjoins a historic brick building.
A view of the renovated and extended Meeresmuseum in Stralsund, featuring a combination of historic brick buildings and modern copper and glass extensions.
A building with large glass windows partially obscured by trees and ivy-covered brick walls.
A modern interior view of a museum entrance area featuring a wooden ticket and information counter under a high ceiling with exposed beams.
Interior view of a modern museum space with a high ceiling featuring white beams and a glass roof. The floor is made of light-colored bricks, and there is a sculpture of a marine animal in the center. The walls are a mix of exposed brick and modern finishes, and there are signs indicating a museum shop.
A modern interior space with vertical white beams and a brick wall, leading to a museum entrance.
A modern interior space with a glass ceiling and exposed brick walls, featuring a wooden bench and metal support beams.
Interior view of a renovated museum space featuring a combination of historic brick walls and modern structural elements. The space includes tall windows, exposed brick, and wooden display cabinets.
Interior view of a modern museum space with exposed concrete ceiling, white structural beams, and wooden steps. The walls show a mix of plaster and exposed brick, with an 'EXIT' sign above a doorway.
Interior view of a historic building with a modern glass window framed by brick and plaster walls, leading to an exterior courtyard.
Interior view of a museum with suspended marine animal models and blue panels.
A black and white site plan of Stralsund's old town with a highlighted area in red.
Aerial view of the site plan for the renovation and extension of the Meeresmuseum in Stralsund, showing the layout of the buildings and surrounding streets.
Architectural floor plan of the Meeresmuseum in Stralsund, showing various rooms and sections of the building layout.
Architectural floor plan of the Deutsches Meeresmuseum in Stralsund, showing the layout of the museum's first floor.
Architectural floor plan of the Deutsches Meeresmuseum in Stralsund, showing various sections and extensions.
Architectural elevation drawing of the Deutsches Meeresmuseum in Stralsund, showing a combination of historic and modern elements.
Architectural section drawing of the Deutsches Meeresmuseum in Stralsund, showing the interior layout including an aquarium and exhibition spaces.
Architectural section drawing of the Deutsches Meeresmuseum in Stralsund, showing interior spaces with vaulted ceilings and various exhibition areas.
Diagram of the Meeresmuseum renovation and extension project in Stralsund, showing labeled sections including St. Catherine’s Hall, Forum, New Foyer, Turtle Tank Renovation/Expansion, Monastery, New Large-Scale Aquarium, and Administration.

Story

A harmonious blend of historic and contemporary architecture revitalizes the German Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund. The renovation and extension of the Meeresmuseum in Stralsund, led by Reichel Schlaier Architekten, transforms the historic St. Catherine’s Monastery into a modern museum space. This project skillfully integrates the Gothic elements of the monastery with contemporary architectural interventions, preserving the unique GDR rod-shaped framework while introducing new copper and glass accents. The museum's design emphasizes accessibility and visitor experience, with a new main entrance in the north courtyard and optimized visitor routing. The exhibition space now includes a large-scale aquarium that immerses visitors in tropical ocean environments, alongside exhibits on evolution, human interaction with the sea, and sustainable fishing. Sustainability is a cornerstone of the project, with reused materials, new wooden structures, and advanced energy-saving technologies. The integration of archaeological finds, such as medieval cellars and the foundation of a predecessor church, adds layers of historical depth to the museum experience.

## Design Highlights

Harmonious integration of historic and contemporary architecture Preservation of unique GDR rod-shaped framework New copper and glass architectural accents Enhanced visitor accessibility and routing Large-scale aquarium and thematic exhibits Focus on sustainability with reused materials and energy-efficient technologies

## Key Facts

Detail Information
Location Stralsund, Germany
Architects Reichel Schlaier Architekten
Project Phases LPH 1 – 5
Gross Floor Area 10,500 m²
Gross Volume 48,500 m³
Competition Year 2017
Completion Year 2025

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • facade: Copper and glass elements are used to create modern architectural accents.
  • interior walls: A mix of exposed brick and modern finishes.

Materials

  • copper — Facade elements and extensions.
  • brick — Historic building walls and some interior walls.
  • glass — Facade and interior elements like windows and roofs.
  • wood — Interior elements like ticket counters and display cabinets.

Construction / Systems

  • structural system: Preservation of historic structures with modern extensions.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: copper, brick red, glass transparency, wood tones
  • Lighting: Natural and bright, with large glass windows and roofs allowing ample daylight.

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