The renovation and expansion of Naturmuseum Graubünden offers an opportunity to consider what the museum of tomorrow will look like. It will be more accessible than it is today. In terms of construction, this means it will be more of a showcase than a protective structure, and in terms of curation, it will be more of a cabinet of curiosities than a museum in the traditional sense. The public will be invited to enter with curiosity and look around without any particular purpose. New curatorial formats will complement the existing ones – provided they find the appropriate spaces for this, which we will create through various measures.
A strong presence in public space:
To this end, the entrance will be relocated. In future, it will protrude confidently into the field of vision of the street space. In this way, it gesturally signifies the public dedication of the building and its accessibility.
Spaces for astonishment:
In addition, an extra floor will be added to the existing building. Thanks to its column-free structure and zenithal lighting, it will open up completely new exhibition formats. There will be space for large-scale exhibits that can also be admired from above thanks to the high ceilings. Bulky experimental setups can be constructed and admired here, for example to illustrate the forces that affect the landscape. It offers space for events that bring the museum's activities into the social discourse.
Museum garden:
The museum garden with café replaces the current car park area. Weatherproof exhibits that arouse the curiosity of passers-by are displayed here. In the shade of the secluded trees, visitors can linger along the protective museum wall and reflect on their impressions of the exhibitions.
Equivalent barrier-free access:
In a rapidly ageing society, barrier-free access is becoming increasingly important. Access to the floors is already barrier-free today, but the goods lift in the «back of the house» is by no means equivalent.
Accessibility of the storage facility:
Only a look inside the storage facility reveals the scale of the cultural heritage collection. The largest expansion in terms of floor space is sensibly located underground and outside the footprint of the existing building. Newly connected to the museum tour, this offers an operationally optimal, cost-conscious and sustainable solution.
Interactive experiences:
Digital media bring stories to life, open up new perspectives and create moments of social interaction. On all three existing floors, meeting rooms are located directly adjacent to the exhibition rooms, enhancing the classic exhibition visit: they offer space for new formats, collaborative learning and lively encounters. The new museum unfolds as a space for exchange and discovery – immersive, interactive and participatory.
