Museum Brandhorst - Theresienstraße 35a, Munich, Germany



Architect
 Sauerbruch Hutton
Date Built
 2008
Location
 At the corner of Tuerkenstrasse and Theresienstrasse
Description
The Museum Brandhorst describes itself as, "... a long, two-storey, rectangular structure abutting a considerably higher, trapezium-shaped section that widens to the north. The precise contours of both parts are linked by a continuous ribbon glazing that culminates in the generous glazed area at the main entrance. Here a corner window running the full height of the building cuts boldly through the structure to the North West, ensuring that the spacious foyer with the museum ticket desk, bookshop and restaurant receive natural light from three sides and enjoy different views"

The museum offers three exhibition areas, "The polygonal room above the foyer was created especially for Cy Twombly’s famous masterwork ‘Lepanto’, affording the twelve large-format pictures a panoramic display. Smaller galleries are on the ground floor. They are arranged as a staggered line of rooms which open up surprising views of still more works of art."


The facade of the museum is eye-catching being made up of 36,000 ceramic rods in 23 different coloured glazes.  The museum describes the affect as, "like an abstract painting." ... "There are countless variations in the appearance of the materials and the structure: seen from an angle the vertical ceramic rods form one smooth surface; seen face on, the horizontally emphasized background is visible and becomes the dominant feature. From a distance, the groups of different colours blend into neutral shades, each with a different brilliance and tonal impact."