Inserted Wedge

The Military History Museum was built in Dresden from 1873 to 1877 as the main arsenal building. During the Second World War, a third of the building structure was lost as a result of the air raids on Dresden in February 1945. In 2001, the entire complex was redesigned. The architecture office of the well-known American architect Daniel Libeskind won the competition. After a seven-year renovation period, the Military History Museum in Dresden was reopened on October 14, 2011. What is striking is the wedge-shaped, asymmetrical new building that permeates the old building. Nina Donath, property consultant and Lutz Trautmann, sales consultant at Baumit, report on the massive challenges and the special features of the property and the renovation. What were the requirements for the renovation of the Military History Museum? Nina Donath: The requirement was to restore the original historical-classic facade view. The product selection had to be largely adapted to the remaining old masonry (on the old part of the building). How do you achieve a facade that is as true to the original as possible? Nina Donath: The restoration was divided into two construction phases: the existing plaster inventory on the existing building had to be examined and repaired or restored according to the historical model, including all existing decorative elements such as bosses, cornices and other decorative elements made of stucco (half-capitals and - Bases, consoles). On the newly built extension, the plaster structure also had to be copied from the historical model,including the production of bosses and numerous stucco: cornices, window crowns and other stucco elements. The work certainly requires a lot of manual skill and experience of the executing craftsmen? Lutz Trautmann: In any case, this task was a major challenge for the construction company that carried it out and was optimally implemented. For the historical facade there was the requirement to take over the bossing and the lines of existing areas and to build up in multiple layers with lime plaster to the original stock. The cornice areas were partially overworked with fine plaster. Large areas were traditionally drawn directly on the building with stucco mortar. When working on the object, experience is required for the safe use of the template, crossbar and slide. Everyone involved was concerned about the connections to the wedge inserted into the building as a concrete and steel structure. Together with all those involved in the construction, detailed solutions were found to ensure secure and tight connections. Have energy-saving renovations been carried out on the building? Lutz Trautmann: In some areas, the back of the building was given an ETIC system with fire bolts. The real challenge was not the installation of the insulation system, but the coordination of the time processes with other trades such as structural work and natural stone restorers. Window walls made of sandstone had to be changed and renewed. A large sandstone belt cornice was also changed and supplemented. Together with all those involved in the construction, detailed solutions were found to ensure secure and tight connections. Have energy-saving renovations been carried out on the building? Lutz Trautmann: In some areas, the back of the building was given an ETIC system with fire bolts. The real challenge was not the installation of the insulation system, but the coordination of the time processes with other trades such as structural work and natural stone restorers. Window walls made of sandstone had to be changed and renewed. A large sandstone belt cornice was also changed and supplemented. Together with all those involved in the construction, detailed solutions were found to ensure secure and tight connections. Have energy-saving renovations been carried out on the building? Lutz Trautmann: In some areas, the back of the building was given an ETIC system with fire bolts. The real challenge was not the installation of the insulation system, but the coordination of the time processes with other trades such as structural work and natural stone restorers. Window walls made of sandstone had to be changed and renewed. A large sandstone belt cornice was also changed and supplemented. In some areas, the rear of the building was given an ETIC system with fire bolts. The real challenge was not the installation of the insulation system, but the coordination of the time processes with other trades such as structural work and natural stone restorers. Window walls made of sandstone had to be changed and renewed. A large sandstone belt cornice was also changed and supplemented. In some areas, the rear of the building was given an ETIC system with fire bolts. The real challenge was not the installation of the insulation system, but the coordination of the time processes with other trades such as structural work and natural stone restorers. Window walls made of sandstone had to be changed and renewed. A large sandstone belt cornice was also changed and supplemented.

practice plus

The Military History Museum The wedge-shaped, asymmetrical new building penetrates the massive, classically structured old building. The wedge is a symbol of organized violence. It breaks with old authoritarian, rigid structures and its transparency stands for the openness of democratic society and the changed role of the military in Germany. As part of the renovation of the museum, the expanded shell of the wedge-shaped museum building was built, which penetrates the listed building in a variety of forms. Building contractor: WLK facade construction painter, Pulsnitz Wuttke facade design, Pulsnitz