francis kere arrives in northern germany with timber and rammed earth museum ehrhardt

"Museum Ehrhardt, designed by Francis Kéré, has broken ground in the small village of Plüschow near the Baltic Sea. The work marks the architect's first cultural project in Germany and his first museum building in Europe. Covering 1,400 square meters, the timber and rammed earth museum is dedicated to photography and contemporary art, with a focus on the work and legacy of Alfred Ehrhardt (1901-1984), a leading figure of the New Objectivity movement."

"The architecture of Museum Ehrhardt reflects architect Francis Kéré's long-standing interest in local craftsmanship and environmentally responsive design. Constructed mainly from timber and clay, the building's structure is defined by a central rammed earth wall that runs along its main axis. This wall, formed with a rough yet precise texture, anchors the space both physically and atmospherically. It balances humidity and temperature while shaping the rhythm of the galleries."

Museum Ehrhardt occupies 1,400 square meters beside Schloss Plüschow and focuses on photography and contemporary art, emphasizing Alfred Ehrhardt's legacy. The building is primarily timber and rammed earth, integrating materially and visually with its rural surroundings. A central rammed earth wall runs along the main axis, providing a textured anchor that moderates humidity and temperature and shapes gallery rhythm. A timber framework spans the full width and is designed for dismantling and reuse, supporting a circular approach to building. The project emphasizes local craftsmanship, material honesty, spatial restraint, adaptability and longevity in collaboration with HK Architekten.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine