Mother-of-Pearl Experience Museum

  • Location: Adorf/Vogtland
  • Client: Town of Adorf
  • Realisation: 2020 – 2025

The new, globally unique museum is dedicated to the cultural heritage of the freshwater pearl mussel, pearl fishing, and the production of mother-of-pearl goods. The new entrance building, featuring a concrete shell, connects four historic buildings and adjoins the Freiberger Gate — the only remaining city gate in the Vogtland region — which continues to house the local history museum. Together with the adjacent historic half-timbered house, it now provides a new home for the largest mother-of-pearl collection in Germany.

In the historic center of Adorf, the new museum building occupies a previously undeveloped site…
In the historic center of Adorf, the new museum building occupies a previously undeveloped site along the medieval city wall.
The building’s appearance is inspired by the structure of a mussel: its rough shell and…
The building’s appearance is inspired by the structure of a mussel: its rough shell and precious interior stand in contrast yet form a unified whole. The twisted, asymmetrical building envelope transforms the image of a mussel shell and creates a striking landmark within the public space.
After the freshwater pearl mussel has grown as a parasite within the brown trout, it…
After the freshwater pearl mussel has grown as a parasite within the brown trout, it spends its life lying on the bottom of the stream, filtering nutrients from the flowing water. Adorf was once a center of freshwater pearl mussel fishing in Europe. The pearls—found in only one out of every two thousand mussels—were highly prized, while the remaining shells were used to craft a wide variety of artisanal everyday objects.
Water continuously flows over the concrete shell into a fountain, symbolizing flowing water as the…
Water continuously flows over the concrete shell into a fountain, symbolizing flowing water as the mussel’s essential source of life.
The shell cantilevers over the forecourt and the fountain.
The shell cantilevers over the forecourt and the fountain.
The exhibition rooms are connected to a patio through windows.
The exhibition rooms are connected to a patio through windows.
Through the glass-covered patio, light falls onto the city wall and into the foyer area,…
Through the glass-covered patio, light falls onto the city wall and into the foyer area, making the old stones of the wall visible even from the outside.
The city wall, which protected Adorf from unwelcome visitors in the Middle Ages, is still…
The city wall, which protected Adorf from unwelcome visitors in the Middle Ages, is still largely preserved today. It shapes the interior appearance of the Mother-of-Pearl Museum. As the wall of the patio that spans all floors, it serves as a visible reference to the site and its history.
One can reach the market square through the Freiberger Gate.
One can reach the market square through the Freiberger Gate.