45-Year Anniversary logo

Museums, Libraries and Cultural Centers

Kunsthalle Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany

Photo: GKD/Constantin Meyer

Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner designed Kunsthalle Mannheim museum of art in Mannheim, Germany, with a bronze-colored, stainless steel fabric that wraps around the exterior. During daytime, the metal fabric reflects the surrounding environment. At night, it is lit by artificial lighting. The metal fabric also provides views inside and outside the museum, creating connections between the two spaces. The bronze color coordinates with sandstone in nearby buildings.

To build the metal fabric façades, Schneider facades GmbH and Co. KG installed GKD Metal Fabrics’ custom stainless steel fabric. In total, 72 wire and tubing panels, approximately 65.6 feet long by 10.7 feet wide, were used to cover 49,514 square feet of façades.

The new Kunsthalle Mannheim museum of art replaced the Mitzlaff Building, an extension constructed in 1983, and is connected to the Billing Building, built in 1907, via a connecting structure, the AtheneWing.