WATERMUSEUM
PRATERINSEL IN MUNICH
MENTORED BY PROF.DIPL.-ING. HERBERT BÜHLER
teamwork with Sebastian Czichon
48°8′0″N 11°34′0″E
The Prater Island - a well know site in Munich. Yet at the time of conception, no use was made of it´s potential. Surrounded by the Isar river with two sides that could not be more different from one another (one is wild and natural, with dramatic fluctuations in water height, and the other is a man-made canal with controlled water levels) the rather small island has a beautiful surrounding, lush greens, and more importantly, situated adjacent to the most prominent street of Munich: Maximilianstraße. As there was no connection made yet, the project´s first step was to bring the urban plan and infrastructure up to date. Aditionally to the south-west access, the main entrance to the site is via the Maximilianstraße. From here on, a system of ramps and plazas gradually lead down towards the naturally flowing Isar, where one is brought into direct contact with the element water due to steps and ramps that go into the river bed, show-casing the natural height of the Isar at any given time.
Of the older buildings, only the main ones are kept. They currently accomodate an event agency and event spaces that can remain in business and will thrive from the newly developed outdoor area and water museum. Adequately located, the museum is completely dedicated to the element water and will take up the main attraction. It runs along the natural edge of the Isar´s east river bed, with the ramps and plazas "flowing" and carving their way around it.
The internal circulation system of the museum is an anti-movement in direction in comparison to the surrounding ramps and plazas, which gradually flow down towards the river bed. While the exterior is a distinct downward movement, the visitor is lead from the light-flooded and large foyer towards the starting point in the far north-east corner of the building - from there on, a ramp with the exact opposite direction, an upward movement, continously leads through the various rooms and spaces that are thematically positioned along the main walkway.
One can either start with the first theme - nature - and then let oneself go with the flow and naturally walk through the following themes and rooms, or one can walk along the ramp to the desired exhibition and enter the thematic world from there. This will prevent frequent visitors from having to walk through every step and every theme.
The top of the building is a cinema. It´s slanting interior due to a stage-like down-grading of the seating rows is shown on the outer facade as well. Underneath this cantilevering part of the building is an outdoor terrace and café. Up above, a viewing platform offers panoramic views of the Isar and Munich.
