Sensitive refurbishment, modern concept
The redesign of the Diözesanmuseum is a prime example of heritage-conscious refurbishment. Working alongside Brückner & Brückner Architekten, the historic building was carefully restored and brought into the present day. The elegant and individually tailored LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60 integrates seamlessly into the existing historic structure. It creates a daylight-filled connection between old and new while meeting the stringent energy-efficiency and safety requirements of a modern museum. From concept development and manufacturing through to site coordination and installation, LAMILUX took responsibility for the demanding roof glazing above the inner courtyard.
1,150 m² glass roof structure 150 years of building history 4-year refurbishment
Preserving history with sensitivity
Since 1974, the building originally constructed in 1870 as a boys’ seminary has housed the Diözesanmuseum Freising. Following its closure in 2013, a careful transformation was undertaken under the guiding principle of “opened walls”. Historic structures were revealed once more, while later additions were removed. The listed building was thus developed into an open and contemporary museum architecture.
Precisely adapted to the historic geometry of the building, the LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60 spans the central courtyard as a hipped roof on specially designed steel supports. Despite significant time pressure, LAMILUX coordinated the planning and installation of the steel-and-glass structure as part of the heritage refurbishment. Through flexibility and exceptional adherence to schedule, the manufacturer successfully managed material shortages, staggered glass deliveries and carefully coordinated erection and dismantling of temporary weather-protection roofs.
The atrium as the heart of the museum
Large wall openings, floor-to-ceiling windows and bright arcades allow rooms and circulation routes to merge seamlessly. With every step, visitors gain new perspectives of the artworks as well as views of Domberg hill, the town and the surrounding landscape.
At the centre of this open architecture lies the multi-storey atrium. Covered by the LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60, it opens towards the sky and is generously supplied with natural daylight. Changing lighting conditions make the passing of time and weather perceptible within the building. At the same time, this impressive internal space serves as a key point of orientation and the architectural heart of the museum.
Sustainability considered holistically
The responsible use of resources defines not only the refurbishment itself but also the building’s ongoing operation. Heating and cooling are provided entirely without fossil fuels, using groundwater as the energy source. Compared with a conventional natural gas solution, the renewable heating system alone is estimated to save around 220 tonnes of CO₂ per year.
Daylight also forms an integral part of this sustainable concept. The LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60 brings natural light deep into the building, combining outstanding daylight quality with a thermally optimised design. High thermal insulation helps keep heat outside during summer while preventing valuable heating energy from escaping in winter. Ventilation flaps additionally provide a reliable supply of fresh air and enable smoke extraction in the event of a fire.
A landmark for art and the future
Art spanning two millennia has found a home within the Diözesanmuseum. Around 50,000 objects, ranging from early Christian works to contemporary art, make it one of the world’s largest museums dedicated to religious history. This made it all the more important that both the listed building and its valuable collections were preserved throughout the refurbishment.
Today, history, art and contemporary architecture engage in a new dialogue. The bespoke LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60 protects the interior, shapes the daylight-filled centrepiece and connects the historic building fabric with modern technology. In this way, the landmark has not only been preserved but has also been carefully opened up to the future.
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