Aerial view of the ensemble with area of proposed construction© Adam Sevens

Goethe Residence Ensemble

Renovation and museum redesign in accordance with monument preservation guidelines

The project aims to renovate the front and rear buildings of the Goethe Residence, the two adjoining Vulpius buildings, the garden pavilion, the stone pavilion, the gatehouse and the house garden in accordance with monument preservation guidelines to the greatest degree possible. 

Despite continued upkeep and regular maintenance measures, the Goethe Residence ensemble requires extensive renovation and retrofitting to remove structural defects, carefully incorporate modern technical systems, install functional improvements (e.g. enhanced accessibility wherever possible) and adapt room design to current needs. Because the property is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is especially important to exercise caution when handling the historic building materials.

The project will primarily focus on renovating the facades of all the buildings in the ensemble. Workers will remove moisture damage and crumbling plaster, refurbish (and occasionally replace) damaged historic windows and doors, and repair the roofs.

The project will also focus on modernising technical systems inside the buildings. In the Goethe Residence, for example, modern radiators will be installed to improve indoor climate conditions, and the antiquated electrical system will be replaced. 

As part of its museological redesign, the ensemble will more closely resemble its original appearance in the Goethe Era. Based on testing conducted on historic coats of paint, some of the rooms will be repainted in shades similar to those Goethe used. The overall aesthetic impression of the rooms will generally remain the same. The building will also retain its character as a naturally illuminated museum; the new lighting concept will allow for augmented illumination on darker days.

The project also includes measures to refurbish two pavilions which had been previously closed to the public. Upon completion, visitors will be able to access these via the house garden. Both will be devoted to Goethe’s natural scientific interests. Goethe’s geological collection will be stored once again in the stone pavilion, for which structural reinforcement measures will be necessary.

The renovation of the pavilions, the conservation measures in the Goethe Residence, the installation of new technical systems and the restoration of the house garden has been made possible thanks to generous and extensive donations from private foundations.

read more
  1. Goethe Residence Ensemble Sub-project “House Garden”
  2. Goethe National Museum

Schedule

Competition in accordance with design competition guidelines: end of 2022

Approval planning: August 2025

Closure of the Goethe Residence: 2 November 2026

Start of construction: January 2027 

Planned completion of construction: 2029

Financing / Funding

The project is financed with resources provided by the Free State of Thuringia, the German Federal Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM), as well as donations from the German Foundation for Monument Protection, the Wüstenrot Foundation, the Hermann Reemtsma Stiftung and the Hector Stiftungen.

  • Logo: Die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien

Planners involved

Architects: Bruno Fioretti Marquez GmbH, Berlin

Exhibition design: chezweitz GmbH, Berlin

Structural engineering: BfB Büro für Baukonstruktionen GmbH, Dresden

Building technology: ARGE b.i.g. bechtold INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT mbH, Weimar, with Six Engineers GmbH, Rudolstadt

Restoration planning: ProDenkmal GmbH, Berlin

Lighting concept: Belzner Holmes und Partner LIGHT – DESIGN, Berlin

Outdoor installations: ARGE Därr Landschaftsarchitekten, Halle mit RoosGrün, Weimar

Fire safety planning: Planungsgruppe Geburtig, Weimar

Building physics: BBS Ingenieurbüro Gronau und Partner, Weimar

Safety planning:  TCProject Torsten Cech, Leipzig

Wood protection assessment: Staupendahl & Partner Bauplanungsgesellschaft mbH, Leipzig

Safety and health coordination: Ingenieurbüro Thomas Kramer, Amt Wachsenburg

Monument preservation objectives: adb büro für architektur, denkmalpflege und bauforschung Steffen Obermann, Berlin

Ansicht des Goethe-Wohnhauses vom Frauenplan
Ansicht des Goethe-Wohnhauses vom Frauenplan, © Adam Sevens
Inner courtyard of the Goethe Residence
Inner courtyard of the Goethe Residence, © Adam Sevens
Prospect from Frauenplan ca. 1828, aquarelle by J.G.S. Rösel
Prospect from Frauenplan ca. 1828, aquarelle by J.G.S. Rösel, © Klassik Stiftung Weimar l Fotothek
Bridge Room with selection of sculptures from Goethe’s collection
Bridge Room with selection of sculptures from Goethe’s collection, © Adam Sevens
Map overlay of cracks on the ceiling of the Bridge Room before restoration
Map overlay of cracks on the ceiling of the Bridge Room before restoration, © ProDenkmal GmbH, Berlin
Bridge Room: Moisture damage caused by condensation under the windows
Bridge Room: Moisture damage caused by condensation under the windows , © Klassik Stiftung Weimar
Detail of wall paint in the Juno Room with marks of wear and tear
Detail of wall paint in the Juno Room with marks of wear and tear, © Klassik Stiftung Weimar
Emptied library: The restored books will be returned to their original location in Goethe’s personal library following the conservation measures.
Emptied library: The restored books will be returned to their original location in Goethe’s personal library following the conservation measures., © Adam Sevens
Detail of a floral border and painted wall in the Urbino Room
Detail of a floral border and painted wall in the Urbino Room, © Klassik Stiftung Weimar
Preliminary investigation of the damaged facade of the stone pavilion in the house garden
Preliminary investigation of the damaged facade of the stone pavilion in the house garden, © Klassik Stiftung Weimar
After the removal of the historical rock collection cabinets and before the restoration: Discoloured interior walls in the stone pavilion
After the removal of the historical rock collection cabinets and before the restoration: Discoloured interior walls in the stone pavilion, © Klassik Stiftung Weimar
The facades of the Vulpius buildings and the garden pavilion show clear evidence of damage Source
The facades of the Vulpius buildings and the garden pavilion show clear evidence of damage Source  , © Adam Sevens

Projects of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar are funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Free State of Thuringia, represented by the State Chancellery of Thuringia, Department of Culture and the Arts.