| Author/Contributor(s): | Schulz, Ansgar |
| Publisher: | Edition Axel Menges |
| Date: | 8/25/2026 |
| Binding: | Hardcover |
| Condition: | NEW |
The town of Adorf is struggling with the typical problems of rural regions: an ageing and declining population, a loss of attractiveness as a place to live and work, and the resulting difficult economic situation. The town is countering this change with improvements to infra-structure and educational oppor-tunities. The new Mother-of-Pearl Museum is a flagship project for the town and the region, intended to be a symbol of identity and a driver of positive development. Nowhere else in Germany is there a museum dedicated to river pearl mussels, pearl fishing and mother-of-pearl production, which Adorf hopes to use as an attractive and appealing unique selling point for actively shaping structural change.
The site of the new building was a wasteland with no appeal in terms of appearance. Some of the old buildings included in the project were unused and threatened with decay. Preserving and continuing to use them stabilised and strengthened the local situation.
The intervention created a lively place that enhances both the immediate surroundings and, thanks to its proximity to the market square and town hall, the entire town centre. The integration of the historic city wall into the museum’s patio brings the city’s history to life. The rear courtyard with its greenery, in conjunction with a planned café, enhances the quality of outdoor life.