The Museum of Phantasy was founded over twenty years ago in Bernried on the shores of Lake Starnberg. This modern art museum houses the assorted collections of the painter, photographer, publisher, and author of art books and novels, Lothar-Günther Buchheim. The inclusion of Joseph Hierling’s extensive collection of Expressive Realist in the museum’s holdings requires not just larger exhibition areas but more space in general. The expansion plans envisage a new exhibition space facing northeast, additional premises for the Buchheim Foundation, an extension to the guest area and accompanying kitchen, and a new carport/equipment room to the northwest. The ensemble realized by Behnisch, Behnisch & Partner in 2001 will also be partially refurbished at the same time.

The expansion seeks to be compatible with the formal design of the existing building while also being mindful of its ecological footprint, consumption of resources, and potential for reuse. Various parameters such as the materials, construction, and joints are strategically coordinated and sparingly applied, with the design allowing for easy disassembly. As far as possible, materials and components from the existing building will be reused in the extension and placed in a new context. The planning follows a low-tech principle: in addition to green roofing and a photovoltaic (PV) system on top of the existing building, the design includes natural ventilation, efficient protection from the sun, and night flushing.