Every year, the exhibition platforms of the ZKM | Media Museum and Museum for Contemporary Art present a multitude of exhibitions of worldwide acclaim. Recent highlights were "CAR CULTURE. Media of Mobility" (2011), for example, "The Global Contemporary" (2011), and "Sound Art. Sound as an art media" (2012).

The ZKM was founded in 1989 by the City of Karlsruhe and the state of Baden-Württemberg. The ZKM took up residence in the listed industrial building, built by Philipp Jacob Manz in 1918, in 1997. Although an arms factory, it survived WWII. It was used for industrial purposes until the 80s. Today, in addition to the ZKM itself, the 312-metre long building also contains the State Art Gallery Karlsruhe and the Karlsruhe University for Arts and Design.

Preserving the particular character of the factory architecture was a primary concern of Schweger und Partner, the Hamburg firm of architects responsible for the conversion project. The firm respected the restraints of the original building; new detail improvements were added as well as extensions and internal structures. The open, spacious character of the ten existing lightwells has been maintained even though some internal structures - such as the media theatre - were essential. Footbridges connect one area to another throughout the building and open lines of sight within it provide fascinating indoor views.

A glass cube is set in front of the old building as a new architectural element based on a concept by Rem Koolhaas. This accommodates the music studio, which would have been difficult to install in the old building due the complexity of the technical requirements. The eye-catching blue cube stands directly next to the main entrance to the ZKM.