The first images of the renovation of the Ludwig Mies van der Rohe-designed Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin by David Chipperfield Architects have been revealed.
Neue Nationalgalerie released the images shortly after the scaffolding surrounding the building was removed following an extensive, five-year renovation of the museum by David Chipperfield Architects.
The images show the restored glass-walled main hall of the museum, along with some of the refurbished exhibition halls below it.
Completed in 1968 the museum for modern art was one of Mies van der Rohe's last major projects and his only building built in Germany following his emigration to the US.
The building had not undergone any major works since its completion and was renovated to modernise its services and renovate its fabric while maintaining its original appearance.
"The refurbishment does not represent a new interpretation, but rather a respectful repair of this landmark of the International Style," explained the studio.
As part of the renovation, David Chipperfield Architects deconstructed almost the entire shell of the building and stripped back the interiors to the structure.
The exterior was restored with glazing replaced and the distinctive steel structure recoated and re-welded. The damaged, supporting reinforced-concrete structure was also repaired.
In total 35,000 individual components were removed from the building, with the majority restored and returned into their original positions.
This includes the natural stone floor slabs and metal ceiling grills in the main hall.
Along with the restoration, the renovation has also updated the air-conditioning, lighting and security systems in the museum as well as adding a lift to improve the accessible access. The cloakroom, café and museum shop have also been improved.
The renovation is set to be complete by April 2021, with the museum due to open in August with an exhibition of works by American sculptor Alexander Calder.
Once the renovation is complete another major museum, designed by Swiss architecture studio Herzog & de Meuron, is planned to be built alongside the Neue Nationalgalerie and connected to it by a tunnel. The studio released renders of the Museum of the 20th Century in 2018.
Photography is by Thomas Bruns, courtesy of BBR.