Mercedes-Benz Museum

Why go

The building gives the collection a clear movement through time. Starting high and working down, you can compare the Legend and Collection routes before they meet around Silver Arrows racing history. The vehicles and UNStudio’s architecture reinforce one another, so looking at the route itself is part of the visit.

What to look for

• Two interwoven routes descend through automotive history from 1886.
• The routes converge around Silver Arrows racing history.
• A triangular atrium sits within the building’s overlapping circular forms.

The full story

The museum’s architecture takes its cue from movement. UNStudio organised the building around three overlapping circles with the centre removed, creating a triangular atrium. Within that form, a double-helix arrangement allows two exhibition routes to descend through the same building. The result is worth noticing as you move: the architecture helps organise the historical story rather than merely enclosing a row of galleries. The building opened in 2006, replacing an earlier museum within the factory complex. Bringing the collection into this purpose-designed setting gave the history of the motor vehicle a very different public face. The route begins with the earliest automotive period and follows developments towards racing history. Look at the relationship between engineering, display and circulation as well as at individual vehicles; all three shape how the museum presents the brand’s past.

Useful to know

• Begin at the top and follow the descending exhibition routes.
• Decide how much attention to give each route rather than expecting a quick vehicle display.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.