Revitalizing history with wire mesh EGLA-TWIN 4313

Woven steel as a symbol of a boundary. With striking visual representation, the museum brings the checkered history of the German border fence to life.



Description

Since 1995, the Grenzlandmuseum Eichsfeld is based in a former administration building of the GDR, close to today´s Lower Saxony – Thuringian border.

At the former border crossing Duderstad-Worbis, visitors of the museum can inform themselves on more than 1,000 m² about the history of the German division.

A lot of original places, newspaper reports, pictures, and films exemplify the reality in the time of the division in Germany. The museum is a memorial place for the history of the German division with a special view on the time when the Iron Curtain divided Germany and especially the territory of Eichsfeld.

 

The Rearrangement

A new visitor and information center was built at the headquarters during a complex rearrangement of the outside facilities.

Glass, stainless steel and concrete are the elements of the new architecture. W.S. Tyler supplied the wire mesh façade, which is situated around the upper floor. The semi-transparent wire mesh EGLA-TWIN 4313 should symbolize the border fence.

‘The intention was to have a clear view out of the ground floor of the building, on the first floor, where exhibitions, information and talks about the region take place, you get a different picture. Thus, the whole border situation is characterized and can be experienced,’ said Mr. Thustek, a staff member of the museum, in an interview with the newspaper “Thüringer Allgemeine Zeitung”. ‘Lot of glass is also a part of the architecture, it represents the changes and the peaceful revolution, which was emanated from the GDR citizens,’ said Thustek.

 

The Wire Mesh Façade

To meet stringent optical requirements, the horizontal corners of the wire mesh façade were folded at 90°, so that the impression of a homogenous building envelope could be guaranteed.

Beside the black-painted words “Grenzlandmuseum” on two sides of the façade, the light coloring of the façade by night is a highlight, creating a special atmosphere around the museum. Because of the illuminated wire mesh, the viewer can see many different facets of the façade by night.

In addition to the strong symbolic power, the architectural mesh also works as effective sun protection. The stainless-steel wire mesh type EGLA-TWIN 4313 breaks and filters the sunlight effectively and, behind the screen, creates a comfortable, fresh, and light indoor climate.

In total, W.S. Tyler delivered 93 m² of wire mesh in sixteen ready-to-install elements, including the standard mounting system of round rods, eyebolts, and pressure springs.

 

Grenzlandmuseum: The most beautiful building 2011 in Thuringia

Winner convinced by simplicity and functionality

In an closed vote on the “day of architektouren” the Grenzlandmuseum was honored by the readers of the newspaper “Thüringer Allgemeine Zeitung” with the Readers´Choice for the most beautiful building 2011.