Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial New access area - integration and open spaces new visitor centre - conversion for accessibility

The existing main access was to be relocated from the east side to the historic site in the west and a new visitor centre was to be integrated into the overall complex.

In a first construction phase, an extensive entrance zone between the parking lot in the south and the old camp gate at the so-called Jourhaus was cleared. The park-like entrance zone incorporates historical relics and opens the view through the mounds of rubble to the west. Large-scale water-bound surfaces with an integrated bad-weather path and covered by trees ensure relaxed behaviour of the various visitor groups even in the case of large crowds.

In the second construction phase, the concept will be extended to the surroundings of the visitor centre and an old path connection to the west will be uncovered again. The single-storey building by Florian Nagler blends into the grove of trees with a wooden column façade - symbolic of the trees that stood here - and opens up to three inner courtyards designed with a few elements.

The path to the west connects the memorial with the street of concentration camp victims and re-establishes the historical connection with the Dachau railway station. Remnants of the historic pavements are integrated into the chippings and mastic surfaces.

A guidance system leads the blind and visually impaired to the visitor centre, where they receive further support and accompaniment. Numerous edges and thresholds were removed to facilitate access for visitors with mobility impairments. A temporary asphalt path was laid to the visitors' car park. These initial measures are part of a comprehensive concept for barrier-free access to the Dachau Memorial, which is intended to play a leading role among contemporary history museums and Nazi memorials. Careful handling of the historical inventory is a top priority in order not to impair the authenticity of the site. Further construction measures such as the restructuring of the parking lot, the reconstruction of the bus stop, barrier-free access to the buildings and a path system within the former camp site are still pending.

Awards:
Dachau Design Award 2011
Architecture Award Dachau 2011
(both together with Arch. F. Nagler).