Museums & Exhibitions

Darwineum Zoological Garden

Rostock, Germany

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Exhibition designers

Atelier Brückner, Stuttgart

Client

Zoologischer Garten Rostock GmbH

Occupant

Zoologischer Garten Rostock GmbH

Project size

1,700 sqm (only exhibition area)

Photos

Michael Jungblut

Completion

2012

Overall building budget

29 million euros

Lighting budget

0.11 million euros

An Evolutionary Experience

The Darwineum is situated right next to the new ape house of the Zoo Rostock. Its various models, multimedia installations, terrariums and aquariums provide a tour of the evolution theory according to Darwin.

The second exhibition area is about a more abstract topic: The cultural evolution of mankind. Accordingly the spaces are designed more geometrically. Again the lighting provides dramatic accentuation on the exhibits and interactive media stations while leaving the actual room unlit.

The last room to enter is a lab-like, partially mirrored space that introduces the main ideas of stem cell research. Brightly back-lit textile membranes interplay with black light to resemble the inside of a cell.