Historic tram at the Chemnitz Tram Museum beneath a LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60 with shed roof construction

Listed building refurbishment –
tram museum Chemnitz

Bringing industrial heritage to life

At the Tram Museum Chemnitz, the history of technology becomes tangible in a historic tram depot dating back to 1908. Natural light entering through the roof plays a key role in shaping the exhibition space – realised with Skylights from LAMILUX.

Chemnitz Tram Museum with Glass Roof PR60 in shed roof design, daylight entering the historic industrial hall through the roof glazing
Several roof glazing installations at the Chemnitz Tram Museum featuring Glass Roof PR60
Chemnitz Tram Museum with Glass Roof PR60 in continuous shed roof configuration, modern roof glazing on the historic hall roof

A space for exhibition and interaction

Where trams once entered and exited daily over 100 years ago, the former depot now provides space for historical exhibits and exhibition areas. In the listed building, visitors can not only view technology but experience it directly – from walk-in trams to original control elements.

To prepare the tram museum for the future, LAMILUX supplied customised glass roofs as part of an energy-efficient and functional refurbishment. The incoming daylight enhances the perception of the exhibits and ensures uniform illumination throughout the entire hall. 

Two trams at the Chemnitz Tram Museum featuring the PR60 glass roof as a continuous shed roof

Roof refurbishment in line with heritage requirements

The refurbishment of the listed building placed high demands on planning and execution. Existing structures had to be preserved while being adapted to meet modern requirements – a task that called for precisely tailored solutions.

The choice therefore fell on the LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60, which can be individually shaped to integrate seamlessly into the existing structure. The outdated wired glass gable roofs were dismantled and the existing substructure was transported to the LAMILUX headquarters in Rehau. Based on this structure, a customised glass roof was developed that is fall-through safe, energy-efficient and compliant with heritage protection requirements. 

Roof view of the Chemnitz Tram Museum with Glass Roof PR60 in multiple shed roof configuration

Daylight for spatial quality and efficiency

The hipped roof construction ensures uniform, glare-free daylight illumination of the hall and improves orientation within the exhibition. At the same time, natural light creates a pleasant atmosphere and enhances the overall visitor experience for both guests and staff.

The high level of thermal insulation keeps indoor temperatures stable and reduces both heat loss and energy demand – contributing to the efficient operation of the museum. 

Roof view of the Chemnitz Tram Museum with Glass Roof PR60 in shed roof design on the historic hall roof

Balancing heritage and modern use

Skylights from LAMILUX combine daylighting, ventilation and fire protection in a single integrated solution, complementing the historic building fabric with modern functions.

This creates a balanced interplay between preservation and development, meeting both the requirements of heritage protection and those of a modern museum operation. 

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