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Planning started in spring 2002. Essential renovation work commenced in 2004. The new concept envisaged a significant increase in the size of the museum to reflect the importance of the company as a global player and the continual increase in the product range. Firstly, the existing museum bowl was linked up with the adjacent low building to increase the exhibition floorspace from 1,000 to 5,000 m². This expansion allows the new museum complex to offer sufficient space for presenting around 120 exhibits.
The concept is based on an idea by architect Karl Schwanzer who created the original BMW Museum in 1973. He defined the internal structure of this circular building as a continuation of the road in an enclosed space. This idea was expressed as a contemporary development and reinterpretation in the neighbouring low building encompassing the vision of a "road in the enclosed space as a principle of dynamic architecture".
Analogous to the structure in the circular building, where platforms are positioned along the road to emulate squares, the exhibition areas in the adjacent low building are also configured on a ramp as the central visitor route. However, the depth of the dynamic synthesis of architectural elements, ramps and exhibition houses varies.
Seven exhibition houses have been built in the low building. Each of the houses has been given an individual "identity" developed on the basis of the themes. This individual appearance creates a context for the exhibits and provides a set of reference points along the route through the museum measuring approximately 1,000 metres in length. The tour route has been designed with no crossroads and takes the visitor to all 25 exhibition areas
Photo album courtesy of LOONITICZ INC