James-Simon-Galerie

Named after the historic 19th-century patron James Simon, the James-Simon-Galerie serves as the visitor center for the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin’s Museum Island. The striking design by David Chipperfield Architects, which echoes architectural elements from surrounding buildings, features a large, open stairwell, white concrete colonnades and an outdoor courtyard. Imposing yet delicate, this functional space acts as a grand central meeting point for museum visitors to access ticketing and information desks, a café, cloakroom and shop, alongside special exhibition spaces and a dramatic auditorium. It connects both to the neighboring Neues Museums and Pergamonmuseum, with other connections planned for the future.

^{Photo: "Near Life. The Gipsformerei - 200 Years of Casting Plaster," exhibition view, James-Simon-Galerie, 2019. © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin / David von Becker}