The design for the extension of the Neues Kunsthaus Zurich is located across the Heimplatz from the existing museum (connected underground) and is a stand alone (solitary) building. A unifying cubic volume is constructed of a perforated concrete “space-frame” for the walls and roof. This acts as a container for a stacked jumble of concrete volumes, which house individual gallery spaces. This relationship generated an informal “slip space” between the envelope, and the boxes/galleries and a different climatic layer. Arched openings in the exterior envelope allow for curated views out into the city, and establish relationships of the interior to the surroundings.
Arriving at the entrance hall via a bridge over a gap, the transition from the street life to the museum is heightened. This threshold signifies the passing into an acoustically, spatially, and atmospherically contemplative environment for art, without creating a barrier.
The interior is organized into flexible gallery clusters around a central orientation and access point. This accomplishes several things: the exhibition spaces are configurable to accommodate a variety of presentation and path scenarios; spaces can be flexibly joined or separated; and different lighting situations can be created.
Architects — Barkow Leibinger, Berlin, Frank Barkow, Regine Leibinger
Team Design — Martina Bauer, Natascha Bauer, Michael Bölling, Enlai Hooi, Shusuke Inoue, Martin Lukasczyk, Astrid Smitham, Christopher Sklar, Aki Nagasaka, Jens Weßel, Alexander Wright
Program
Exhibition, Art Depot, Central Space, Main Entrance, Information, Museum Shop, Café, Bar, Atelier, Office
Location
Zurich, Switzerland
Size
12.750 sqm
Competition
04|2008 - 08|2008
Client
City Zürich
Structural Engineer
Schlaich Bergermann und Partner
Mechanical Engineer
Todt Gmür + Partner AG, Klima- und Energietechnik
Energy Design
Transsolar Energietechnik GmbH
Fire Protection Consultant
SWISSI Zürich
Cost Consultant
Itten Brechbühl AG
Museum Consultant
bogner.cc KEG
Landscape Architect
Büro Kiefer