In 2018, one of the largest new museum buildings in Germany was opened in Mannheim, designed by the architects von Gerkan, Marg und Partners. Owing to its unique facade, which is characterised by a bronze-coloured metal mesh, the new building of the Kunsthalle Mannheim integrates confidently into the surroundings. It links up with the historical museum building and has been designed as a ‘city in the city’, offering visitors interesting circuits with varying insights and views out. The centrepiece and prelude to the new building is formed by the freely accessible central atrium. In this volume of the gmp focus series, the architects illuminate their design and grant an insight into the challenges of the building task. In addition, architectural critic Jurgen Tietz examines in an essay why museums like the Kunsthalle Mannheim are still needed today. Text in English and German.