Monheim's Mack Pyramid Criticized Again as Heritage Preservation Fails

The Mack Pyramid in Monheim, also known as the Scarabaeus Pyramid, has once again been singled out as a negative example in a critical report, this time by the German Foundation for Monument Protection. This follows harsh criticism from the Federation of Taxpayers last year, which labeled it a "monument to tax money wastage."

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Chronology of horror

The building, constructed between 1987 and 1990, was initially designated a postmodern monument by the city itself. However, the city later revoked this protection status, citing a peculiar reason: the city, as the owner, had not been heard in the proceedings. What followed, according to the foundation, was a "chronology of horror." The architect, Horst Schmitges, was stripped of his authorship rights to allow for construction over the structure. Subsequently, the city re-designated the pyramid, including the yet-to-be-built expansion, for monument protection.

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Scandalous procedure

The Foundation for Monument Protection described the sequence of events as a "scandalous procedure," arguing that a planned construction cannot, by definition, be a monument. The expansion over the pyramid, they contend, has destroyed its original character and compromised its monument status. This case is presented within the context of a larger crisis in heritage preservation in Germany. The foundation reported that at least 1,077 monuments have been irretrievably lost in Germany over the past two years, equating to more than one per day.

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A planned construction cannot, by definition, be a monument.

Last year, the Federation of Taxpayers criticized the 50 million euro project, noting it was awarded without a tender. At the time, then-Mayor Daniel Zimmermann defended the project, stating it was intended to preserve the significant work of artist Heinz Mack for posterity. The report also mentions the Old School in Cologne-Roggendorf as another negative example in North Rhine-Westphalia, where a building was "renovated to death," rendering it unusable after a restoration attempt.

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Monument to tax money wastage