PTB Neubau MRT-Labor

The new MRI laboratory is part of the ‘physical park’ of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Berlin-Charlottenburg. The magnetic resonance tomograph, MRI, is well sheltered underground in the former ‘quartz clock vault’, which is located in front of the basement of the historic observatory.

An unfolding green roof forms part of the park and creates a sculptural entrance to the laboratory, making the ‘descent’ clearly visible. Visitors, test participants and employees enter the new building via an entrance hall facing the observatory. All rooms are located on the lower level and are naturally lit and ventilated via an inclined atrium.

The glass façade with flush-mounted press strips and the polished stainless steel cladding on the columns support the dynamic effect of the unfolding roof construction made of exposed concrete with their mirror-like, immaterial presence.