The Hansemuseum: Bringing The Past To Life With Face Brick

The Hansemuseum: Bringing The Past To Life With Face Brick.

Image courtesy of Werner Huthmacher Nominated for the 2017 European Museum of the Year Award, the Hansemuseum is one of the largest European museums dedicated to Hanse history. Many valuable artefacts, such as rare documents, paintings and collector’s items are proudly exhibited within the museum’s elegant face brick walls. And these priceless items paint a vivid picture of a day-in-the-life of a Hanseatic merchant.

As a part of the UNESCO world heritage site, the Hansemuseum is situated in the city of Lubeck – a place where the Lubeck settlement began. The historical significance of this location is further enriched by an archaeological dig, which has been incorporated into the exhibition interior. At each turn, carefully considered finishes and nuances reveal a rich and fascinating cultural heritage – one that’s made tangible by the detail-orientated work of Andreas Heller Architects & Designers.

Finding The Right Material For The Job

One of the most permeating features of the Hansemuseum is the face brick façade. With its exposed appearance, irregularly laid masonry, colour gradients and simple shapes, one is reminded of the medieval city wall that once ran along the foot of the Castle Hill. But this age-old evocation is no coincidence. Andreas Heller Architects & Designers worked closely with Petersen Tegl to create a unique brick that would blend in with the hundereds-of-years-old brickwork in Lubeck.

Following numerous test firings, the architects decided to go with an English red clay that was able to withstand extremely high firing temperatures. And to contribute to the building’s enduring image, they ensured that each brick was hand-crafted, using wooden moulds. Consequently, the Hansemuseum building is able to portray an intriguing narrative through the use of finely crafted face brick texture and elegant modern lines – a narrative wherein the significance of the past is recognised and viewed through the lens of a modern-day context.