In February, the opening of the museum's all new contemporary art annex took place, revealing the inside of the undulating form that had taken shape in a 3,000 square metre plot underneath the Städel garden situated in front of the gallery's entrance.
Reaching as much as eight metres in height, the new hall is flooded with natural light thanks to 195 perfectly round skylights set into the curved and seemingly weightless ceiling each of which measure between 1.5 and 2.5 metres in diameter , forming a distinctive pattern on the garden lawn. This use of natural light is in keeping with the Museum's existing rooms, however in the Schneider+Schumacher extension, the skylights will also include a shading system to avert direct sunlight, while a blackout feature affords the possibility of blocking out daylight completely.
Ambient lighting is integrated into the skylights and individual outlets guaranteeing a great deal of flexibility when illuminating individual exhibits, ensuring that the museum's new section, which doubles its previous floor space is as functional as it is striking.
