The Mercedes Benz Museum intricately combines structure and content. The Museum is dedicated to a legendary car; its unique structure has been specifically devised to showcase a collection in which technology, adventure, attractiveness and distinction are merged. It is also a Museum for people to freely move through, to dream, learn, look and let themselves be oriented by fascinations, light and space… Lastly, it is a Museum for the city, a new landmark to celebrate the enduring passion of Stuttgart’s most famous inventor and manufacturer.

The structure of the MB Museum is based on a trefoil; both in its internal organization and in its outward expression this geometry responds to the car-driven context of the museum. Inside, walking down the ramps of the Museum, surrounded by cars of different ages and types, the visitor is reminded of driving down the highway. Outside, the smooth curves of the building echo the rounded vernacular of nearby industrial and event spaces, such as the soccer stadium, the Mercedes-Benz test course, and the gas and oil tanks along the river, as well as the recurrent loops of the road system on site. The building also implicitly radiates the qualities that we see as the best of our times; good quality materials, durability, character, neatness. In its materialization the MB Museum reproduces the values that we associate with Mercedes Benz: technological advancement, intelligence, and stylishness. Once inside, the visitor should feel both stimulated and comfortable.

The 25,000 m2 MB Museum is situated next to the Daimler-Chrysler Untertuerkheim plant on a raised platform which also offers room to the Vehicle Center. Visitors enter the building from the northwest corner. The entrance lobby introduces to the visitor the organizational system of the Museum, which entails the distribution of the two types of exhibitions over three ‘leaves’, which are connected to a central ‘stem’ in the form of an atrium. The entrance lobby, besides practical functions, contains an escalator that leads down to the ground level, and three lifts that take visitors up to the top of the building.

The visitor proceeds through the Museum from top to bottom; during the ride up the atrium, visitors are provided with a multimedia Preshow presentation. The two aspects of the museological arrangement, the collection of cars and trucks and the Myths, are ordered chronologically from top to bottom, starting with the three oldest cars at the top floor in the display dedicated to the invention of the car. From this starting point at the top, the +eight level, the visitor may take one of two spiralling ramps down; the first chain linking the collection of cars and trucks, and the second the connecting Mythos rooms, which are the secondary displays related to the history of Mercedes Benz. The two spiralling trajectories cross each other continuously, mimicking the interweaving strands of a DNA helix, thus making it possible for the visitor to change trajectories. The downward incline of the two interlocking trajectories is confined to the ramps at the perimeter of the building only; the platforms that function as display areas themselves are level, with the slow gradients of the walkways bridging the height differences between them. The platforms, the ‘leaves’ of the trefoil, are arranged around the central ‘stem’ of the atrium in This structure generates exciting spatial constellations, enabling a wide range of look-through options, shortcuts, enclosed and open spaces, and the potential for continuity and cross-references in the various displays.

The collection of cars and trucks is shown in combination on five plateaus. Seven plateaus show the Myths and, at the lowest levels, Races and Records and the Fascination of Technology. At ground level, below the elevated landscape, and accessed by the escalator at the entrance level, are the Children’s Museum, several small shops and a restaurant, which are housed in a large and open-plan space that connects the Museum to the nearby Vehicle Center.

The passage: The “passage” is situated on the ground floor of the building and connects the Museum with the Mercedes Benz Centre. Its total area amounts to 2560 m². In this space, we were asked to design the shops, the restaurants and the Mercedes Car Group presentation. Our starting point was a huge open field, structured by skylights and a patio. Our aim was to create an identity within a total space experience: We have created small individual worlds which each visitor can identify with and which invites him/her to stay. As the target group of the museum is huge, we offered a wide range of different atmospheres to assure everyone could relate to it. For the overall concept, we designed a pattern of circles. According to the theme, these extruded circles were individually treated in order to mark the thematic zone. The single circles in each zone have their own individual atmosphere, while the overall concept can been seen in each one of them.

The Shops: Coming from the escalator of the museum, the visitor is automatically led into the shops. Their total area amounts to 697 m². The shops are the prelude of the “passage” as well as the sluice to the museum. This sluice is used for the benefit of commerce. The shops are part of the overall concept of the “passage”. They consist of nine single shops in the shape of a circle. They function like a pinball machine with the visitors bumping from one attraction into the other. In this way, the effective floor area becomes the circulation area and vice versa. Each shop circle is determined by its wooden flooring and the shelves which seem to “grow” out of the ground. The circular shelves are made of translucent plastic. The fronts of these are lit up by neon tubes. In combination with the bamboo flooring and the circular lighting rails hung from the ceiling, this creates a light and floaty atmosphere. The shop is locked by a curtain made out of metal fabric with a total length of 40 m. It has two possible positions: - In the upper part of the “passage” it locks the Museum shop. - In the lower part of the “passage” it serves as the background for the Mercedes Car Group presentation. It guarantees permanent access to the museum even when the shop is closed.

The Restaurants: Like the Shops, the Restaurant is also part of the overall “passage” concept. Its total area is 582 m². This space consists of ten single dining islands separated by metal-ball curtains hanging from discs, which mirror the floor area of each circle. Each island has its own individual atmosphere. Between the circles, a field of chrome sphere-lamps creates a virtual second ceiling, enhancing the space’s intimacy.

The Bar (123 m², 28 seats): The semi-circular Bar placed around the atrium is the heart of the restaurant. It is a huge black monolith with its shape determined by the devices placed in it. It changes from a table, to a bar, to a buffet and back to a table. The black leather bench placed next to it connects the restaurant to the shop and completes the circle.

The luxury Restaurant: The elevated restaurant consists of two single circles: the chimney room and the restaurant.

The Chimney Room (10 m², 8 seats) is the smallest and most private circle. It has a modern-baroque atmosphere: The ornamental silver back wall contains a fake chimney showing a digital fireside. The ceiling and the floor are coloured deep purple. The bone-white furniture, in combination with a modern chandelier, completes the special atmosphere of this VIP space.

The Restaurant (68 m², 48 seats) is the most elegant of all the circles. As the chimney room, it is available by reservation only. The floor and the ceiling have a wenge wooden surface. Two wooden wenge couches with bone-white leather seats enclose the circle and determine its entrance.

The Bistro: The Bistro consists of 5 single circles: the “Stammtisch”, Bistro-1, Bistro-2, the Conservatory and the Children’s Island.

The “Stammtisch” (14 m², 9 seats) is the turntable of the restaurant. It connects and separates the elevated restaurant from the bistro. It is meant to be a place where strangers can sit along one big table - alone but without being lonely. Except for the black wooden table and chairs, the interior is coloured in the deep red which underlines the circle’s unique position.

Bistro-1 (38 m², 28 seats) is the most open circle. The flooring and ceiling is made of light bamboo. The tables, as a projection of the floor, are made of the same material. Seven banners - depicting close-ups of various portraits of people of different nationalities and ages - emphasise the concept of identity.

Bistro-2 (38 m², 34 seats), being the most sedate island, is kept in smoked oak wood. A curved bench encloses the guests and creates a cosy atmosphere.

The Conservatory (113 m², 72 seats) opens out onto the facade. It continues on the terrace, thus connecting the inside with the outside. The teak flooring, ceiling and furniture, in combination with the cream-coloured seats emphasise the light atmosphere of this sun-filled dining space.

The Children’s Island (7 m²) is a bold, orange rubber foam castle where the children can play.

The Terraces: The terraces (113 m², 38 seats and 48 m², 22 seats) continue the theme of the restaurant and take it outside. Illuminated concrete benches mark the outlines of these outer islands.

The Presentation of the Mercedes Car Group: We have placed the Mercedes Car Group presentation in the lower part of the “passage” to create a thematic connection between the Museum and the Mercedes Benz Centre. Its total area amounts to 519m² and it offers 56 seats. This space consists of five individual circles accentuated by cylinders which seem to grow out of the ceiling. Each brand is represented in one circle which becomes a small world of its own. The representation of the Corporate Identities is limited to the inner surfaces of the cylinders. The outside is kept in neutral white. In combination with the light gleaming from the inside of the cylinders, the visitor’s curiosity is stimulated and they are drawn into the circles. The two smallest islands are resting points. The ceilings are transformed into two big eyes, which turns the idea of a museum upside down: After hours of looking at the exhibition, the visitor himself is finally observed.

The Café: The Café is situated on the first floor of the building. It is the end-point of the exhibition where people can sit down and enjoy their coffee while still being in the exhibition space. Its total area amounts to 230 m². The café is placed around a void, ensuring that the coffee bar can already be seen, heard and smelt from the second floor. Our design follows the given lines of the building. The long, black, curved bar which also serves as a table and the café-au-lait coloured leather couch stretch along the whole length of the arch. The middle part of the café is raised; this allows an elevated view of the cars placed within the void. The 3-metres wide doughnut-shaped lamps which float over the bar, serve as illuminated eye-catchers and a virtual second ceiling.

The tableware identity-contrast-haptic

For the restaurant of the MBM we have designed a three-pieced plate set which can be seen as a subtle abstraction of the Mercedes Benz Star: The first section shows a familiar china pattern that the individual visitor can identify with. The second section is a contrasting translation of the first one. In this way, each plate is provided with a geometrical pattern and its ornamental counterpart. The third section is kept plain, showing the design of the original tableware. In order to emphasise the sense of touch, we kept all the patterns in white. Since the centre of each plate is reserved for food, we placed the different textures on the rim. It is also the place where the user usually touches the plate. The tableware we chose as a basis for this design is the Époque series of Rosenthal, which is a classic and rather simple design.

For the table clothes, we designed a pattern which is an abstraction and a repetition of the Mercedes Benz Star. In both designs, we kept the patterns in white in order to emphasise the sense of touch.

As the ambassador for the star brand our members from several Mercedes Benz clubs conclude to our on-going tradition. Totems constructed a club island for our museum in Stuttgart Germany which enables clubs to bond and stay in contact. Flowing lines and best quality materials are in accordance with the superior brand identity. The interactive presentation will include club finders and stories about the club life.

Go on. And create.

Mit eigens entwickelter Software setzten sich die niederländischen Stararchitekten Ben van Berkel und Caroline Bos bei der Planung und beim Bau des Mercedes-Benz-Museums über viele bis dato gültige Planungsparameter hinweg. Ein abgerundetes Dreieck bildet den Grundriss des Gebäudes. Um das Atrium im Innenhof winden sich ineinander verschlungene Spiralen, die an eine Doppelhelix der DNA aus dem Zellkern erinnern.

33 Meter tiefe Räume ohne Stützen gehören wie die zweifach gekrümmten tragenden Bauteile („Twister“) zu den architektonischen Besonderheiten des Museumsbaus. In den Fensterbändern sind 1.800 dreieckige Scheiben verbaut, von denen keine der anderen gleicht. Auf 17.000 Quadratmetern Ausstellungsfläche werden 1.500 Exponate präsentiert, davon 160 Fahrzeuge. Zwei Rundgänge beginnen im obersten Stockwerk und winden sich über neun Ebenen zum Ausgang.

Die Modellierung der Außenanlagen folgt dem gleichen Anspruch wie der kurvenreiche Museumsbau. Vertiefungen, Erhöhungen und Platzflächen sind in das Gelände eingeschnitten. Es entstehen dadurch Rampen und Brüstungen, die in der Dunkelheit effektvoll in Szene gesetzt werden. BEGA Leuchten sind Bestandteil des architektonischen Kunstwerkes, das die Daimler-Philosophie von Innovation, Exklusivität und Dynamik verkörpert.

Im Eingangsbereich fügen sich BEGA Bodeneinbauleuchten mit geringer Einbautiefe flächenbündig in die Pflasterung ein. Die Illuminierung des Gebäudes und der überdimensionalen Pfeile, die auf dem Gelände als Wegweiser dienen, übernehmen Bodeneinbauleuchten mit einstellbaren Scheinwerfern.

Zur Inszenierung der beeindruckenden Architektur des Gebäudes werden Bodeneinbauscheinwerfer eingesetzt, die eine vertikale Fläche bis zur Unterkante vollständig ausleuchten. Überrollbare BEGA Bodeneinbauleuchten mit einer Abdeckung aus Bronzeguss übernehmen diese Aufgabe.

Die gleichmäßige Beleuchtung von Wegen ermöglichen BEGA Wandeinbauleuchten. Die abgeblendeten Leuchten richten das Licht nach unten und sind oberhalb der Waagerechten vollständig abgeblendet. Die größte Beleuchtungsstärke wird im unmittelbaren Umfeld der Leuchte erzeugt.

The Mercedes-Benz Museum intricately combines structure and content. The Museum’s unique structure reflects a collection in which technology, adventure, style and distinction are merged. The structure of the Museum is based on a trefoil. Both in its internal organisation and in its outward expression this geometry responds to the car-driven context of the museum. Inside, walking down the ramps of the Museum, the visitor is reminded of driving down the highway.

The Museum reproduces the values associated with Mercedes-Benz: technological advancement, intelligence, and stylishness. The entrance lobby introduces visitors to the organisational system of the Museum, comprising two types of exhibitions over three ‘leaves’, connected to a central ‘stem’ in the form of an atrium.

Visitors proceed from top to bottom; the ride up the atrium functions like a time machine taking visitors back to 1886. The ‘legend’ spaces are ordered chronologically from top to bottom, the three oldest cars displayed in a space dedicated to the invention of the car. The ‘collection’ spaces running in parallel are thematically organised. Visitors take one of two spiralling ramps down; the first linking the collection of cars and trucks, and the second, connecting legend rooms, which display the history of Mercedes-Benz in seven scenes. The two spiralling trajectories cross each other continuously, mimicking the interweaving strands of a DNA helix, thus making it possible for the visitor to change trajectories

The inventors of the automobile have recreated the automotive museum: on 19 May 2006 the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart was opened. In just two-and-a-half years' construction time, from September 2003 to April 2006, a remarkable structure emerged that is an architectonic highlight of urban development in the entire Stuttgart region.

Mercedes-Benz Museum, exterior

It is the only museum in the world that can present the 120-year history of the automobile industry complete from the very first day.

The exhibition concept

The exhibition concept of the Mercedes-Benz Museum is as unrivalled as the tradition of the company: on nine levels covering 16,500 square metres, 160 vehicles, more than 1500 exhibits in all, presented on two connected tour routes, can be viewed. The proximity to the Mercedes-Benz parent plant in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim breaches the gap between tradition and modernity: the Museum shows that automotive history is always also directed towards the future. The basis of this is the enduring innovative power of the Mercedes-Benz brand.

The architecture

The Museum presents not only the exciting history of the Mercedes-Benz brand, but gives revealing glimpses of the future too. The Museum architecture, the work of UNStudio van Berkel and Bos, Amsterdam, serves this task. Its impressive modernity appears to mark it as a design from the future – yet at the same time preserves tradition. The architecture illustrates the heritage of the brand. The building interior is modelled on the double-helix DNA spiral containing the human genetic code, and is therefore committed to the Mercedes-Benz brand's concept of originality: creating entirely new things for the mobility of man, again and again – from the invention of the automobile to the pioneering vision of accident-free driving.

Unique museum concept

The exhibition concept itself is also an original design developed and implemented by HG Merz, Stuttgart and Berlin. On their two-hour walk through the Museum the visitors enjoy a unique journey through time covering 120 years of automotive history. They are transported by lift to the top floor, from which two tours lead back to the starting point in long curves through the extensive collection. Through nine levels the two paths form a double helix as symbol of the genetic endowment of the brand. Seven "Legend" rooms are arranged on the first circuit. They tell the story of the brand in chronological sequence. For the second tour a host of vehicles is arranged in five separate "Collection" rooms in which, across decades, the brand portfolio and the collection are presented in all their diversity. A further special feature: for the first time the Museum now also documents Mercedes-Benz's more than 110-year commercial vehicle history.

The visitor can switch between tours at any time. Both tours end at the "Silver Arrows – Races and Records" banked corner, where the pure, unadulterated legendry of the brand becomes tangible. The exhibition is complemented by "The Fascination of Technology" section, which enables visitors to see what goes on every day at Mercedes-Benz and at the same time presents topics touching upon the future of the automobile.

The detailed picture of the Mercedes-Benz brand comprises more than 1500 exhibits, including 160 vehicles – 80 passenger cars, 40 commercial vehicles, and 40 racing cars and record-breaking vehicles.

"The Mercedes-Benz Museum is the best and only place in the world where, from the beginnings down to the present, one can experience the history of the automobile and the legend embodied by the Mercedes-Benz brand in a completely new and fascinating way," says Michael Bock, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Museum GmbH.

The Mercedes-Benz Museum is the only museum in the world that can document in a single continuous timeline over 125 years of automobile history from its very beginnings to the present day. On nine levels and covering a floor space of 16,500 square metres, the museum presents 160 vehicles and over 1,500 exhibits. As a place of innovation, it also demonstrates that history can point the way ahead.

The exhibition not only presents the fascinating history of the Mercedes-Benz brand, it also affords illuminating insights into the future. This dual function is also reflected in the architecture of the Mercedes-Benz Museum, designed by the UNStudio of Dutch architects van Berkel and Bos, Amsterdam. The building’s interior is inspired by the double helix structure of the DNA spiral that carries the human genome. This in turn illustrates the Mercedes-Benz brand’s philosophy – to continuously create radically new products to advance the cause of human mobility.

During a two-hour tour of the exhibition, visitors experience a unique journey through automotive history. Transported by lift to the uppermost level of the museum, the visitor arrives back in the year 1886, where two museum tours gradually spiral their way down through the extensive collection and back to the museum exit.

The first of the tours consists of seven Legend rooms which narrate the chronological history of the brand. The second tour groups the wealth of vehicles on display into five separate Collection rooms, which thematically document the breadth and diversity of the brand portfolio and collection. The visitor can switch from one tour to the other at any time. Both tours finish at the banked curve entitled Silver Arrows – Races & Records. The exhibition is rounded off by the Fascination of Technology display, which offers a glimpse into day-to-day work at Mercedes-Benz and also presents topics concerning the future of the automobile.

The Mercedes-Benz Museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Contact, reservations and further information are available at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Customer Center Mondays to Sundays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m on +49 (0) 711 / 17 – 30 000 or at [email protected]