Wolfburg’s famous Phaneo.
The German Tourist Office has collected a group of exceptional buildings exhibiting some of the most dramatic pieces of German modern architecture. From futuristic phantasy to repurposed mill buildings, these structures, both inside and out, stand as spectacular contemporary architectural structures.
Architectural diversity is the main feature of Germany’s cities. Many internationally acclaimed star-architects left their mark there with fascinating buildings from museums, shopping centers to famous German brand headquarters. Zaha Hadid, David Chipperfield, and Richard Meier are just a few of the bright international stars shining in Germany.
Modern architects from London to Switzerland help create Germany’s new cities
The London-based star architect Zaha Hadid is known for pushing boundaries with her imaginative works. Most famous in Germany is her design for the phaeno science landscape in Wolfsburg (above). It is across from the Autostadt Volkswagen center and factory. The phaneo was finished in 2005 and is a one-of-a-kind experience. Visitors will discover an interactive, event-driven science exhibition. Here, visitors can literally touch lightning, experience a fire tornado, or run through walls. All this is taking place in Hadid’s futuristic design of the exhibition space that rests on conic supports. The museum hovers over a constructional wonderland shaped by craters, caverns, terraces, and plateaus.
The BMW Factory in Leipzig, Germany
Hadid also designed the central building of the BMW plant in Leipzig in eastern Germany. Finished in 2002, this innovative design connects the different work areas of the factory. The central building is designed as a dynamic nerve center, connecting and incorporating the whole factory, combining the function of the factory with futuristic aspects of modern work organization. Tourists can discover the great design of the BMW factory and take a fascinating look into modern car production with guided tours throughout the week.
From a modern stadium to a gutted factory German modern architecture shines through
The Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron are one of the most famous and cutting-edge design teams in the world and their work in Germany is most impressive. In 2005 they finished the Allianz Arena in Munich, one of the world’s most modern soccer stadium and a fascinating landmark with its illuminated futuristic design.
The Museum for Modern and Contemporary Art Kuppersmuehle in Duisburg. The original industrial building was completely gutted. An exhibition space was created across three-floor levels connected by an intriguing staircase design. This is a milestone in the re-utilization of industrial space. The museum is one of the main attractions of the Ruhr region, the European Capital of Culture 2010.
A modern concert hall dominates Hamburg’s harbor
In development is Hamburg’s new Elbphilharmonie, which will be the flagship building of the HafenCity urban development in the port of Hamburg, Germany’s largest harbor. The Herzog & de Meuron concept is based on the existing brick-wall building. It is topped of with a light glass-structure consisting of over 1000 individual elements and is more than 360 feet high. The Elbphilharmonie is Hamburg’s new cultural beacon, with its two concert auditoriums and a five five-star hotel.
US-star architect Richard Meier is known for his modernist-style museum buildings. In Germany, he constructed the Museum Frieder Burda in Baden-Baden north of the Black Forest. It is one of the most renowned private collections of modern and contemporary art. Finished in 2005, the museum is a modernist white building, masterfully incorporated in the surrounding park area. It actually consists of two buildings connected by a glass bridge.
One of the most impressive works of Richard Meier is the extension to the Museum of Applied Art in Frankfurt. Like no other it connects his modernist style with the villa’s 19th century graceful visage.
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Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
