Historical Museum Frankfurt: LRO Architects’ Landmark Design

The Historical Museum in Frankfurt, redesigned by LRO GmbH & Co. KG Freie Architekten BDA, represents a harmonious fusion of heritage preservation and contemporary museum architecture. Situated at the heart of Frankfurt am Main, directly on the Römerberg and adjacent to the Main River, the museum has been a pivotal cultural institution since its founding, housing centuries of regional history.

Until the 2010s, the museum operated from a complex of historic structures alongside a 1970s reinforced concrete annex. However, the older annex faced significant technical challenges, including outdated fire safety systems, inefficient escape routes, and contamination by hazardous materials, making it unsuitable for modern museum requirements.

In response, the city of Frankfurt launched an international design competition with two core objectives: enhancing the urban spatial experience and fulfilling advanced museum functionality. LRO Architects’ proposal seamlessly integrates the new exhibition building with the preserved historic structures, creating a cohesive ensemble that respects both history and modern design.

The renovation of the older buildings, executed by Diezinger and Kramer, allowed the museum to remain operational during construction. The new extension introduces an urban plaza that connects existing buildings with additional exhibition spaces. This plaza is framed by the historic Stauferbau on one side and the remarkably preserved half-timbered Haus Wertheym on the other, offering visitors a layered architectural narrative.

Below the plaza lies a circulation level, providing direct access to four exhibition floors. A distinctive architectural element is the roofscape, featuring two contiguous gable roofs joined lengthwise, which complements the historic urban context. The façade is clad in red sandstone, a traditional regional material, which ensures the building’s aesthetic continuity with its historical surroundings while delivering a contemporary interpretation of Frankfurt’s architectural heritage.

The project’s structural engineering was led by Lenz Weber Ingenieure, with mechanical and electrical planning by ZWP Ingenieur and Steinigeweg Planungs. Bobran Ingenieure Akustik + Bauphysik managed the building physics, ensuring optimal acoustic performance and environmental comfort throughout the museum.

Completed in 2017, this 6420 m² museum renovation and extension exemplifies modern cultural architecture that respects historical context, promotes urban integration, and provides state-of-the-art exhibition facilities. The Historical Museum Frankfurt now stands as a dynamic public space, bridging centuries of regional heritage with contemporary architectural excellence.

All photographs are works of  Roland Halbe