Many of the world’s top brands have their own dedicated museums which run the gamut from glorified gift shops to self-aggrandizing expos halls, making most of them a must-miss for all but the most die-hard enthusiast. It really takes a special mix of a storied history, compelling product evolution and visually stunning space to pull off a museum which appeals to not only strong followers but also the general public. The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany is definitely the later.

Sitting as a proud beacon of automotive excellence just in front of the main gate of Daimler’s headquarters, the building is an architectural wonder designed by UN Studio. The old museum which actually rested inside the factory has been replaced by a unique structure featuring three overlapping circles like a cloverleaf.

The center of the building was carved out to crate a triangular atrium. The design allows for 16,500 square meters of exhibition space on a footprint of only 4,800 square meters. Over 160 vehicles and 1,5000 exhibits are on display within the double helix interior.

The displays features cars dating back to 1886 and follows the progression of Mercedes-Benz up through their latest and greatest supercar, the SLS AMG. The building first opened in 2006 but since many people have not had an opportunity to make the pilgrimage, the company has just released a smorgasbord of images to give everyone a good idea of what there is to behold.

Source: Mercedes-Benz