Picture: Gesa von Grote
The German Naval Museum shows the history of the German navies together with their tasks and changing fortunes over the course of time. It collects and preserves exhibits concerning the history of all German navies and researches into their historical context. The aims of the new concept for the permanent exhibition are to create a clearly set-out visitor route and underline the presentation of political and cultural framework conditions by contrast to the emphasis on technology so often expected in naval history.
In didactic terms, the exhibition is conceived as preparation for visitors’ experience of the large-scale, walk-on exhibits in the open-air section. The integration of themes and images from parallel events of cultural history and the inclusion of biographical anecdotes (officers, sailors and families) expand the perspective to include the navy’s socio-historical context. The museum’s aims are realised in the design by means of abstract exhibition architecture with minimum orientation via a graphic visitor routing system, and visual projections and audio features to underline the information given in each exhibition area. Round forms and curving architectural elements refer to the shape of a ship’s hull. The space is divided by oval table-top display cases and curved walls. Graphic lines on the floor, echoing depth lines on maritime charts, create a dynamic impression of space. At the same time, they delineate the recommended route and guide visitors through the exhibition rooms. An extension will create additional space for exhibition and service areas, for which a new design concept is also being developed (see also “Interior Fitting” + “Renovation”).