Experience sustainability and climate action - Introducing the NAWAREUM in Straubing

The NAWAREUM is a museum for all ages that invites its guests to immerse themselves in the topic of sustainability with a sense of fun and experimentation. A colorful mix of nature and technology, artworks and games, knowledge and inspiration awaits the public. In addition to the exhibition, the NAWAREUM experience also includes the building itself, which provides inspiration for sustainable construction, and the museum garden, where visitors can experience renewable resources with all their senses.

On three floors and 1250 m², the exhibition covers diverse topics such as climate change, plants, nutrition, renewable resources and energies. A hands-on approach is expressly encouraged here. There are interactive exhibits and games, a walk-in plant cell, and – a highlight – a wooden slide in the middle of the building. The exhibition is designed for adults and children aged 12 and older. A number of dedicated exhibits, marked with a small diamond, cater specifically to the interests of children between the ages of 6 and 12. All exhibition texts are available in English and German.

On Friday, March 3, 2023, the grand opening took place in the presence of Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder and Ministers of State Hubert Aiwanger and Michaela Kaniber. Since Saturday, March 4, 2023, the NAWAREUM is officially open for visitors. The name NAWAREUM is an acronym for the German phrase "Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und regenerative Energien im Museum" (renewable resources and regenerative energies in the museum).

Museum education programs

The museum can be explored alone or as part of a guided tour. With its highlight tour, the NAWAREUM offers an overview on the topics of sustainability, plants, climate change, renewable resources, and renewable energies in around 60 minutes. The tour introduces key aspects of the exhibition – from the foundations of our earth to the diversity of renewable resources and their uses. Themed tours are available upon request and can be adapted to a specific target audience.

There are currently five different workshops offered for school classes, in addition to the guided tours: Children of preschool age and up to fourth grade can discover a mystery tree while solving exciting riddles about the forest. From 1st to 10th grade, students can immerse themselves in the world of renewable energy with a series of experiments. Another offer, available from preschool through 13th grade, focuses on the value of food and sustainable consumption. Two new workshops have been added to the repertoire since fall 2023: Children of elementary school age can learn how a tiny seed becomes a plant. For grades 8 to 13, there is a new program that teaches the scientific basics of climate change. All the above workshops can be booked from Tuesday to Friday.

Museum garden and architecture

The adjacent museum garden invites visitors to explore and linger. The concept of renewable resources comes to life here, as one can marvel at a variety of different plants, which are also part of the exhibition: Types of grain, oil plants and aromatic medicinal as well as spice plants. There are also insect-friendly flowering plants that can be used to generate energy, plants whose fibers are used to produce fabrics, and shrubs in which birds and other animals find both food and shelter. A natural oasis that is always open and barrier-free, inviting the public to explore or relax independently of a visit to the exhibition.

The modern building is an exhibit in itself. It was designed by the architecture firm DÖMGES from Regensburg. The 79 freestanding larch trunks on the south façade originate from the Bavarian State Forests and reflect the theme of renewable resources. They symbolize an avenue of trees along the glass elements of the façade. In the entrance area, the avenue widens into a small plaza with staggered wooden trunks. A windowed opening in the canopy creates a point of light reminiscent of a forest clearing. The 11.5 m high tree trunks from the nearby Bavarian Forest are untreated. They partly support the cantilevered roof construction.

Passive house standard and innovative energy supply

The Passau State Building Authority is the developer of the project. The aim was to reconcile the requirements of a museum building with the energy standard of a passive house. Wherever possible, the building components are constructed from renewable resources - for example, the load-bearing exterior walls and the roof structure are made of wooden rib panels, supports are made of glulam and the façade and roof insulation is made of wood fiber boards and mats.

The heating energy and process cooling required to supply the building with a floor space of 2450 m² is obtained from geothermal energy from 40 geothermal probes in conjunction with a heat pump system. Supplemented using solar thermal systems, the building's energy supply can be largely covered by renewable energy sources. The passive house standard also includes particularly effective insulation of the exterior walls, floor and roof, triple-glazed windows, and modern ventilation technology with heat recovery. The green roof features 270 m² of photovoltaic panels and 130 m² of solar thermal collectors.

Shaping a sustainable future - an experience for everyone

The NAWAREUM aims to demonstrate solutions for the future and invite inspiration and exchange. To this end, events such as lectures, workshops, guided tours, and excursions are held on a regular basis. The current program of events can be found in the event calendar on the homepage. Every first Thursday of the month, the TauschBar takes place with alternating themes. Items such as clothes, board games, or plants are exchanged at this event every month. In the future, temporary exhibitions will complement the topics in the permanent exhibition.

“Many people feel helpless in the face of environmental destruction – the climate crisis, the destruction of habitats, and the flood of garbage on land and in the water are a major concern for many of us. At the NAWAREUM, we don't just want to provide information about these challenges, we also want to point out possible solutions and look to the future with a little more hope," says Dr. Vanessa Roden, director of the NAWAREUM.

Admission, opening hours, accessibility, and bistro

Admission to the NAWAREUM is permanently free for children up to the age of 18 and school students. Admission for adults costs 5 euros and 4 euros with a discount - for example for trainees, university students, pensioners, or those arriving by public transport. Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 10 to 6. The NAWAREUM is open year-round, even on public holidays. If a public holiday falls on a Monday, the museum is also open. It is closed on January 1st and December 24th.

The NAWAREUM is a place for everyone. Various measures have been taken to make the visit as accessible as possible. The permanent exhibition is wheelchair accessible. With the exception of the top floor, which offers a view of the solar thermal and photovoltaic systems, all floors are accessible by elevator. The videos in the exhibition have optional English subtitles. For deaf or hearing-impaired people, all videos also feature either a translation into German sign language (DGS) or German subtitles.

The NAWAREUM is a 15-to-20-minute walk from the train station. Buses run to the stops "Stadtwerke" (line 2) and "TUM Campus, Petersgasse" (line 4). A city bike system (with rental bikes available at the train station and at Schulgasse 18 opposite the NAWAREUM) offers the opportunity to get around by bike.

Visitors can currently bring their own food to eat in the bistro ErneuerBar. The bistro can be used as a dining and lounge area. Hot and cold drinks as well as snacks are available for self-service in the bistro area. Payment is made at the ticket counter.

The NAWAREUM as part of the TFZ and KoNaRo in Straubing

The NAWAREUM is part of the Technology and Support Centre in the Centre of Excellence for Renewable Resources (TFZ), a research institution of the State of Bavaria. With its scientific findings, the TFZ aims to advance the energy and resource transition, protecting the environment and climate. In addition to the TFZ, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V. are part of the KoNaRo - Centre of Excellence for Renewable Resources.

The KoNaRo has been informing interested visitors about “Renewable Resources – from Plant to Utilization” in an exhibition since 2003. For quite some time, the TFZ had wanted to provide the public with much broader and more detailed information. Dr. Bernhard Widmann, director of the TFZ, initiated the idea for the NAWAREUM in late 2011: "I am delighted about the new addition in Straubing, where, alongside research and teaching, we can encourage the whole of society to take the path to a sustainable future."

The Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry and the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy equally funded the total construction costs of 27 million euros for the construction of the building and the NAWAREUM exhibition.

You can find more information about the NAWAREUM, its offers, and current events at www.nawareum.de/en. Photos are available for download under www.nawareum.de/en/press/.