Wälderhaus

About the museum

The Wälderhaus was created as an excellence project of the Internationale Bauausstellung IBA Hamburg 2013 at the main entrance of the Wilhelmsburg Inselpark and opened in November 2012. The client and operator is the Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald, Landesverband Hamburg (a forest conservation association); the design was by the architect Andreas Heller.

The building, clad in larch wood, was the first building of building class 5, that is, taller than 13 meters, with a load-bearing structure of solid timber. Efficient building services and environmentally conscious management are intended to make the guiding theme of forest and wood tangible throughout the building. Besides the exhibition, it houses a hotel, the restaurant Wilhelms, and conference and event rooms.

The Science Center Wald is on the first floor. At exploration and microscope stations, the focus is on the ecological functions of the forest, its importance for the water balance and climate, biodiversity, and its cultural role. Exhibits include a petrified tree about 20 million years old, 32 trunks from the Hamburg forest district of Hausbruch, about 40 preserved animals in dioramas, and a cabinet of curiosities with around 2,000 finds from the forest. The building also serves as a place of learning for school classes.

Highlights

• Petrified tree, about 20 million years old
• Cabinet of curiosities with about 2,000 finds from the forest
• 32 tree trunks from the Hausbruch forest district
• Dioramas with about 40 preserved animals, including urban wildlife
• Microscope and exploration stations
• Multi-story solid timber building of the IBA 2013

Permanent exhibitions

• Science Center Wald – Interactive exhibition with exploration and microscope stations, dioramas, and a cabinet of curiosities on the ecology, climate, biodiversity, and cultural history of the forest.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald, Landesverband Hamburg e.V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The permanent exhibition Science Center Wald is free for all visitors.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The exhibition is suitable for wheelchair users and people with walking aids with a companion; staff help if needed. All event rooms are accessible. Dogs are not allowed in the exhibition.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The exhibition is explicitly aimed at families as well and offers interactive stations and microscopes. In terms of content, it is geared mainly toward children from 5th grade; there are separate programs for daycare centers and elementary schools, for example from age 4.

Getting there & parking

The building is in the Inselpark and can be reached by car only to a limited extent; only hotel guests may drive up for drop-off and pick-up.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Restaurant "Wilhelms im Wälderhaus" with regional, seasonal cuisine; Wälderhaus shop with books, specialties, and gifts during exhibition opening hours. The building also houses the Raphael Hotel Wälderhaus.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Conference and event rooms in the Forum Wald with bookable equipment and conference packages; catering by the restaurant Wilhelms, which also hosts private celebrations.

Plan your visit