Development of a structure at the local meat market: blueprints for the city's historical museum
New Schwerin City History Museum: A Blend of Past and Future
The city of Schwerin is set to unveil a new chapter in its rich history with the opening of the Schwerin City History Museum. The museum, scheduled for completion at the end of 2029, will boast a contemporary design by Berlin architect Jan Wiese that harmoniously blends into the historic surroundings at the Schlachtermarkt.
The competition for the museum's new building, announced in March 2025, attracted over 120 architecture firms. The jury, chaired by Prof. Jörg Springer, was impressed by the diversity of ideas presented in the mid-July meeting. Jan Wiese's winning design features a publicly accessible café on the ground floor that opens onto the Schlachtermarkt.
The new building, consisting of three gable-roofed building bodies, is an addition at the rear of the existing structure. This design contrasts historic architecture with contemporary design, creating a clear form that gently integrates into the old town. The use of local, recycled materials emphasizes the museum's commitment to sustainability.
The designs of the architectural competition will be on public display from August 19 to 31. This exhibition will take place at the Kulturforum Schleswig-Holstein Haus. The concept for the exhibition includes thematic areas such as center of power, urban development and urban planning, heavy industry, mobility and surroundings, art, everyday life and celebration, nature and leisure, education, school and science, and world city. However, the specific planned themes or sections for the museum's exhibitions remain undisclosed.
In addition to the new building, both a permanent exhibition and temporary presentations are planned for the museum. The historically appropriate renovation of the neighboring building at Puschkinstraße 44 will house the museum's administrative and functional areas.
The official opening of the exhibition is scheduled for Monday, August 18, at 6 pm. The event will be graced by the presence of Mayor Rico Badenschier, who will introduce architect Jan Wiese. The competition for the museum's new building marks an exciting step forward in preserving and showcasing Schwerin's history, serving as an information center for the UNESCO World Heritage site "Residenzensemble Schwerin".
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A visitor to the Schwerin City History Museum can look forward to having a café experience as part of their home-and-garden lifestyle, as the winning design by Jan Wiese features a publicly accessible café on the ground floor that opens onto the Schlachtermarkt. The museum's new building, with its blend of historic architecture and contemporary design, also highlights their commitment to living sustainably, as it uses local, recycled materials.
