M21 Museum

Statement

The Kulturforum is a cultural hub in west-central Berlin, home to iconic cultural and historical venues. Once a residential area, it was devastated by WWII bombings, leaving a void that became the site for significant architectural works, including Mies van der Rohe’s Neue Nationalgalerie and Hans Scharoun’s Berliner Philharmonie. This project proposes a new museum linked to the Neue Nationalgalerie, revitalizing the site with a contemporary cultural addition. The M21 Museum is designed to draw visitors in and encourage exploration. With entrances on all four sides, the building invites pedestrians from multiple directions while providing shelter from Berlin’s frequent rain. Its structure comprises three monolithic concrete walls that anchor the design, while open interstitial spaces create a fluid, uninterrupted experience for viewing art. Large windows at the ends of these spaces frame views of the Neue Nationalgalerie and Berliner Philharmonie, reinforcing the museum’s connection to its cultural context and the Kulturforum's historical identity.