# Futurium

> research institute and museum in Berlin

**Wikidata**: [Q20829682](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20829682)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futurium)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/futurium

## Summary
Futurium is a research institute and museum located in Berlin, Germany, that operates as a non-profit organization. Also known as the "Haus der Zukunft" (House of the Future), it offers free entry to the public and serves as a platform for exploring future scientific and societal developments.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Research institute, museum, and non-profit organization (gemeinnützige GmbH).
- **Location:** Berlin (Bezirk Mitte), Germany; coordinates 52.5238786° N, 13.3743364° E.
- **Leadership:** Stefan Brandt has served as Director/Manager since June 1, 2017.
- **Ownership:** Primarily owned (86%) by the German government (Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space); minority shareholders (1% each) include the Max Planck Society, Leibniz Association, Siemens, BASF, Bayer, and others.
- **Access:** The facility offers free entry to visitors.
- **Features:** The site includes a "skyway" and a "forest garden" (part of the "Superland" concept).
- **Digital Presence:** Operates a website (futurium.de) and active social media channels, including a YouTube channel with over 13,000 subscribers (as of Jan 2025).
- **Design:** The institution utilizes the "Futura" typeface.

## FAQs
### Q: Is Futurium free to visit?
A: Yes, Futurium has the characteristic of offering free entry to its visitors.

### Q: Who owns and funds Futurium?
A: Futurium is a public-private partnership. The majority owner is the German government (86% via the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space). Additional shareholders include major scientific organizations and corporations like the Max Planck Society, Siemens, and Bayer, each holding a 1% stake.

### Q: What kind of organization is Futurium?
A: It functions as both a research institute and a museum. Legally, it is a gemeinnützige GmbH (non-profit limited liability company) and is tax-exempt under the German Fiscal Code.

## Why It Matters
Futurium occupies a unique space in the European landscape by bridging the gap between high-level research and public engagement. Unlike traditional museums that focus on historical artifacts, or research institutes closed to the public, Futurium serves as a "Haus der Zukunft" (House of the Future) that integrates both functions. Its significance lies in its ability to democratize access to future studies, allowing the general public to engage with potential scientific and technological developments without financial barriers, as evidenced by its free entry policy.

The institution acts as a collaborative hub supported by a rare coalition of government and industry heavyweights. With ownership split between the German Federal Ministry and corporate giants like BASF, Bayer, and Siemens, it plays a strategic role in aligning public understanding with industrial innovation. By offering a physical space in Berlin's Mitte district that includes specialized features like a forest garden and a skyway, it provides an immersive environment for contemplating the future. Its designation as a member of the Informationsdienst Wissenschaft further cements its role as a credible node in the scientific communication network.

## Notable For
- **Hybrid Model:** Being one of the few entities classified simultaneously as a research institute, a museum, and a non-profit organization.
- **Public-Private Partnership:** Featuring a distinctive ownership structure that combines 86% government stake with participation from leading global scientific and industrial entities.
- **Accessibility:** Distinguishing itself by offering completely free entry to all visitors.
- **Architectural Features:** Housing unique structural elements such as a dedicated skyway and a "forest garden" integration.
- **Digital Reach:** Maintaining a significant digital footprint for a research institute, with thousands of social media followers and a comprehensive digital blog.

## Body

### Governance and Ownership
Futurium operates as a gemeinnützige GmbH (non-profit limited liability company) and is tax-exempt under the German Fiscal Code. The institution is a notable example of public-private partnership. The Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, holds the overwhelming majority stake of 86%.

The remaining shares are distributed among prominent scientific and industrial organizations, each holding a 1% stake:
- Max Planck Society
- Leibniz Association
- Deutsche Telekom Stiftung
- Infineon Technologies
- BASF
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Bayer
- Siemens
- Hermann von Helmholtz

The facility has been managed by Director Stefan Brandt since June 1, 2017.

### Location and Physical Characteristics
The institute is situated in the Bezirk Mitte in Berlin, Germany. The precise coordinates are 52.5238786 latitude and 13.3743364 longitude. The physical structure includes distinct architectural features such as a skyway and a "forest garden," the latter being part of a conceptual area referred to as "Superland."

### Public Engagement and Digital Presence
Futurium actively engages with the public through both physical and digital channels.
- **Admission:** The venue offers free entry.
- **Online:** Its official website is hosted at futurium.de, with an official blog available in German.
- **Social Media:** The institution maintains active profiles on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (username: futuriumd/futuriumD).
- **YouTube:** The official YouTube channel (ID: UCT_CIq1uM1yfxXfJ-GPGSdw) was created on March 3, 2017. As of January 25, 2025, the channel reported 13,200 subscribers and over 2.2 million views.

### Classifications and Identifiers
Futurium is formally recognized as a research institute and museum. It is a member of the Informationsdienst Wissenschaft. Various international authority files and databases recognize the entity, including:
- **GND ID:** 10094592-2
- **ISNI:** 0000000106833335
- **VIAF ID:** 127646578
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11b8t6ptt6

## References

1. [Beteiligungsbericht des Bundes 2020](https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Content/DE/Downloads/Broschueren_Bestellservice/2021-04-08-beteiligungsbericht-des-bundes-2020.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=10)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://idw-online.de/de/institution2051)
4. [Source](https://www.futurium.de/presse/pressemitteilung/neuer-direktor-berufen/)
5. YouTube API