UMBAU
Nonstop Transformation

Following Venice, Hamburg, Berlin, New York, and Shanghai, Munich was the sixth stop of the traveling exhibition by gmp. The scope, project selection, and thematic focus of the exhibition evolve continuously, reflecting both the current state of gmp’s renovation projects and the specific context of each venue. At Architekturgalerie München two local projects took center stage: Gasteig HP8 with the Isarphilharmonie and Hall E (conversion 2021), and the European Patent Office (since 2022).

© Florian Holzherr

In Munich, nine of gmp`s nearly one hundred conversion projects were presented as specific case studies. The selection represented the wide range of concepts that are possible when dealing with the architectural heritage of the 20th century. These included, next to the two Munich projects, the Berlin Olympic Stadium (2004), the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid (2024), the Alsterschwimmhalle in Hamburg (2023), the Hyparschale in Magdeburg (2024), the Berlin State Library at the Kulturforum (since 2019), the Pressehaus at Alexanderplatz in Berlin (2024), and the Kulturpalast Dresden (2017).The exhibition used film, models, and drawings to illustrate the stages of transformation—from the original condition through the building process to today’s use.

Collectively, the examples illustrated gmp’s architectural approach to UMBAU: from a comprehensive exploration, concepts are developed that ensure contemporary use. At its core, the process is always about reactivating the existing building in all its diversity.

From conceptual origin through UMBAU to everyday use, the exhibition highlights the stages in the ongoing transition that continues as a Nonstop Transformation, a collaboration that spans generations.At the Architekturgalerie München, for the first time, a venue undergoing transformation provided the architectural setting.

• Share