MARTa Herford

On an 8,000 square metre site near Herford's Main Station, between Goebenstraße and the curve of the river Aa, American star architect Frank Gehry designed the MARTa Herford. The complex, which has a wavy steel roof, is built with bricks that are typical of the region. It has four different building components: a Museum, a Forum, a Centre and a Café, all of which are expressions of the architect's particular sculptural idiom. The Museum consists of a 22-metre-high dome and five smaller galleries which are flooded with light from the lofty skylights. All these galleries will have one floor only, so that visitors will have an unimpeded view not only the artworks, but also of the sky. A total of 2,500 square metres exhibition space is available both for alternating exhibitions and for the collection.