The Frohnauer Hammer project focuses on revitalizing a historical site in the Erzgebirge mountains, an area renowned for its mining heritage and a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status. The mill, dating back to the 14th century, continues to operate its water-powered hammers, attracting visitors interested in its industrial history.

The design proposal for a new museum and visitor center responds sensitively to the context of the mill, its surroundings, and its historical significance. A masterplan for the site aims to improve accessibility and enhance the visitor experience, integrating the old Master’s House, the hammer, and the new structures. The museum is placed atop a raised plinth, offering panoramic views over the site and surrounding landscape. The building’s scale is kept modest, with its functions discreetly housed below the plinth, while the primary exhibition space enjoys an elevated position. The structure is clad in untreated, rough-sawn larch wood, harmonizing with the natural environment and evoking the region’s rustic character.

This careful approach to integration—respecting both the historical value of the site and introducing a contemporary museum structure—aims to provide a timeless addition to the Frohnauer Hammer, engaging visitors with both the past and present