Schöninger Speere
AWARDING AUTHORITY
City of Schöningen
PROGRAM
Showrooms, offices, laboratories, seminar rooms, café, auditorium, archives
PLANNING AREA 24 ha
GFA 3,800 sqm
RESULTS
2nd Prize negotiation process as an accelerated procedure
ARGE Rohdecan Architects
r + b LAP INNIUS GTD
2010
During archaeological excavations in the Schöninger lignite mining area traces of several settlements were found besides eight wooden spears from the Stone Age – the oldest known hunting weapons of mankind. A Europe-wide architectural competition was announced to present these appropriately.
Based on the design the new research and experience center is placed on the highest point of the Lorgberg and is visible from afar. It is located at the interface between find spot and open-cast mining with multiple view opportunities in the area. It seems as if the building with its folded structure is pushing itself into the landscape. It appears as a separate symbolic structure despite the enormous dimensions of the open-cast mining due to its clear sharp-edged form as well as its robust concrete structure that resembles sedimentary rock.
The public museum is clearly separated from the internal research area. Foyer, cash desks, flexible exhibiton spaces and a museum shop are located on the ground floor. The museum café with a connected auditorium can also be operated independently by a separate entrance. The laboratory and office rooms in the research area with private access to the excavation site are located in the basement. The windows in the exhibition area provide insights into the rooms for restoration that are located on the slope floor to illustrate the latest excavations for visitors.
The experience center is complemented by an extensive outdoor exhibition area with reconstructed types of vegetation of prehistoric landscapes, informations about living in the Stone Age as well as numerous open-cast mining windows. A loop road leads to the roof of the building which is designed as a scenery ramp. A panorama terrace is also providing a clear view of the current excavations and structural change in the region.
Based on the design the new research and experience center is placed on the highest point of the Lorgberg and is visible from afar. It is located at the interface between find spot and open-cast mining with multiple view opportunities in the area. It seems as if the building with its folded structure is pushing itself into the landscape. It appears as a separate symbolic structure despite the enormous dimensions of the open-cast mining due to its clear sharp-edged form as well as its robust concrete structure that resembles sedimentary rock.
The public museum is clearly separated from the internal research area. Foyer, cash desks, flexible exhibiton spaces and a museum shop are located on the ground floor. The museum café with a connected auditorium can also be operated independently by a separate entrance. The laboratory and office rooms in the research area with private access to the excavation site are located in the basement. The windows in the exhibition area provide insights into the rooms for restoration that are located on the slope floor to illustrate the latest excavations for visitors.
The experience center is complemented by an extensive outdoor exhibition area with reconstructed types of vegetation of prehistoric landscapes, informations about living in the Stone Age as well as numerous open-cast mining windows. A loop road leads to the roof of the building which is designed as a scenery ramp. A panorama terrace is also providing a clear view of the current excavations and structural change in the region.
