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= NAWAREUM =

The NAWAREUM is a museum in Straubing dedicated to the topics of sustainability, climate change, renewable resources, and renewable energies. It is a non-profit institution owned and funded by the Free State of Bavaria. The NAWAREUM describes itself as a hands-on museum, as it contains numerous interactive exhibits. The name is an acronym that stands for "Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und regenerative Energien im Museum" (renewable resources and renewable energies at the museum). The museum is part of the Technology and Support Centre in the Centre of Excellence for Renewable Resources, a research institution belonging to the Free State of Bavaria.

Permanent exhibition
The permanent exhibition covers topics such as climate change, the history of the earth, botany, nutrition, renewable resources, and renewable energies. Instead of conveying knowledge solely via text and images, the NAWAREUM also utilizes multisensory experiences and experiments as learning aids. For this purpose, tactile exhibits, films, as well as digital and analog games are used. The exhibits and all texts are designed for adults and adolescents aged 12 and over. Throughout the permanent exhibition, there are labeled stations which are designed for children aged between 6 and 11. All texts are available in German and English. Videos include German or English subtitles as well as interpretation in German Sign Language.

Exemplary hands-on stations include a controllable water cycle with different types of hydroelectric power plants, as well as a wind tunnel where visitors can assemble miniature wind turbines and test their respective efficiency. Most of the exhibition areas are equipped with touchscreens containing videos, further information, or quizzes. There are two hybrid game tables where museum visitors can team up in small groups and cooperate to reach common goals. One game is about supplying an island with different types of renewable energy and finding the optimal energy source for varying locations. In the other game, the museum guests take on the role of farmers who must manage their fields while keeping an eye on both biodiversity and profitability. A special feature of the NAWAREUM is the herbarium wall, where more than 80 preserved plant species are on display. All showcased plants are considered renewable resources. The herbarium is divided into the following groups: Trees, dye plants, energy crops, starch crops, fiber crops, medicinal plants, and aromatic plants. On adjacent touchscreens, museum visitors can find out more about each individual plant, filter by category and view photos of living specimens and their uses.

Garden
The NAWAREUM garden is an integral part of the museum's overarching concept. It is always open to the public, free of charge, and the paths are wheelchair accessible. The garden has been designed with several aspects in mind: It showcases plants, which also feature in the permanent exhibition as renewable resources, in their natural life cycle; similar to wildlife gardens, it provides food and habitat for animals living in the city and thus increases biodiversity; and it serves museum guests and the local population as a recreational site in the city.

Architecture and sustainable building technology
The building is an exhibit in and of itself, because it offers visitors inspiration and examples for sustainable building projects. The Passau State Building Authority acted as the developer and aimed to combine the requirements of a museum building with the energy standard of a passive house. The building consists largely of renewable resources to minimize the carbon dioxide emissions of the construction. Whereas producing concrete emits large amounts of carbon dioxide, wood binds carbon dioxide from the air as it grows and thus acts as a long-term carbon sink. The museum was consequently built using a solid wood construction, except for the foundations and stairwells. This is so far uncommon for public infrastructure in Germany, where concrete, bricks, and other mineral materials are predominant in architecture. The building's heating and cooling is provided by 40 geothermal probes in conjunction with a heat pump, as well as 130 m2 of solar thermal collectors on the roof. Using an adiabatic cooling system, the solar thermal energy can also be used to cool the building. A 270 m2 photovoltaic system on the roof generates electricity. As a result, most of the building's energy requirements can be covered by renewable energies. Any additional electricity or heating required is purchased from renewable sources. Compared to the conventional energy mix in Germany, approximately 83 tons of carbon dioxide are saved each year. The building complies with the passive house standard and is equipped with highly effective insulation of the exterior walls, floor and roof, triple-glazed windows, and ventilation technology with heat recovery.

A life-cycle assessment carried out by the Technical University of Munich compared the construction and operation of the NAWAREUM with a conventional administrative building of the same size. There are substantial differences in the Global Warming Potential (GWP). While the construction of the NAWAREUM emitted around half as many carbon dioxide equivalents as the conventional construction of a similarly sized administrative building, the difference is much greater over 50 years of operation. Over this period, the NAWAREUM only emits around 0.4% of the carbon dioxide equivalents of a conventional administrative building of the same size.

The south façade features 79 free-standing larch trunks, a gift from the Bavarian State Forests in nearby Bodenmais. The tree trunks symbolize an avenue along the glass façade and a forest clearing in front of the main entrance. They convey the theme of renewable resources to the outside. As part of the construction project, the Free State of Bavaria provided €120,000 for an artwork. This percent for art is government-mandated for public buildings in Germany. The artist Tom Kristen won the public competition. His artwork "Welle" (wave) consists of 900 upcycled bottles, which the artist personally collected over time and integrated into an illuminated artwork. Approximately 20 percent of the bottles are labeled with terms from popular quotes on environmental protection and sustainability. According to the artist, the terms should encourage people to "complement the artwork with their own definitions and values".

Events
The NAWAREUM regularly hosts guided tours, workshops, lectures, readings, discussions and concerts. A unique feature is the monthly series of events called TauschBar (a homophone which could both mean “Swap Bar” and “exchangeable”). On the first Thursday of every month, different items are swapped, for example clothes, books, seeds and plants, or kitchen utensils. Participation is free of charge. The series of events follows the principle that swapping and reusing things is more sustainable than throwing them away and buying new ones. The event thus contributes to waste prevention and sustainable consumption.

History
The NAWAREUM was opened with a festive ceremony on March 3, 2023. It is part of the Technology and Support Centre at the Centre of Excellence for Renewable Resources (TFZ), a research institution of the Free State of Bavaria. In addition to the TFZ, the Technical University of Munich (TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability) and C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V. also work together in the Centre of Excellence for Renewable Resources (KoNaRo). The NAWAREUM complements the expertise that the competence center unites in the areas of research, teaching and consulting with a low-threshold educational and leisure offer. It aims to demonstrate everyday solutions and inspire all people for the transition to renewable energy and resources.

The TFZ has been showing an exhibition titled "Renewable resources - from plant to use" since 2003. Dr. Bernhard Widmann, the director of the TFZ, wanted to expand this offering. The idea of developing a centre for information and consultation was conceived in 2011 and the project was approved by the Bavarian cabinet in 2015. The plans included an interactive permanent exhibition, temporary exhibitions, educational programs as well as events and offerings for tourists. Numerous experts from the TFZ, C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V. and the TUM Campus Straubing supported the project from this point onwards and developed content for the permanent exhibition.

The construction and furnishing of the NAWAREUM cost 27 million euros. The sum was financed in equal parts by the Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism and the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.