New building plans

The Gutenberg Museum, "World Museum of Printing," is approaching its next milestone. After the city council commissioned the administration in May 2018 to set up a working workshop on "Modernizing the Gutenberg Museum" and to formulate recommendations for the future of the building and its content, the architectural competition was launched in spring 2022. A closed competition was announced, preceded by an open application process. A total of 133 firms responded to the Europe-wide call for entries. After the eligibility check, 82 firms were admitted to the lottery. Under notarial supervision, the 25 participating firms were drawn at random, each of which then developed and submitted a design. On October 5 and 6, 2022, an expert jury chaired by Prof. Arno Lederer intensively reviewed the competition entries. The jury was also advised by the upper and lower monument protection authorities, the representative of the city of Mainz for the interests of people with disabilities, and representatives of the Gutenberg Museum workshop. A wide variety of design ideas were submitted and discussed constructively.

The firm h4a Gessert + Randecker Architekten GmbH was selected as the winner of the competition. Their proposal is subtly integrated into the challenging urban planning situation. The revitalization of the surrounding public space, which is important for the city, appears successful, and the concept also offers the necessary orientation for visitors with an architecturally interesting foyer, as well as the necessary flexibility for the exhibition concept.

Second prize was awarded to Riehle + Assoziierte GmbH + Co. KG with Carmody Groarke Ltd. This design is unique in that its structure connects directly to the existing buildings of the Roman Emperor and the Hotel Schwans, as well as widening Seilergasse, which expands the public urban space.

Third prize went to the firm wulf architekten.
This project focuses on separating the historic buildings of the Roman Emperor from the new construction and impresses with its small-scale urban design and unique architectural expression.

In addition, the three designs by the firms Bär, Stadelmann, Stöcker Architekten und Stadtplaner PartGmbH, Burger Rudacs Architekten mit Und Mang Architektur, and TRU Architekten Part mbH were honored with a commendation for their excellent work.