Light and materials master use. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects
11/12/2020.
[Zurich] Switzerland
metalocus, JUAN DE LUCAS
metalocus, JUAN DE LUCAS
The new Kunsthaus Zürich extension, designed by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin (competition won in 2008), expands the existing Kunsthaus museum, situated between the Grossmünster church and the university.
The Kunsthaus Zürich now represents the largest art museum in Switzerland, comprising four buildings from different eras – the Moser building (1910), the Pfister building (1958), the Müller building (1976) and now the Chipperfield extension (2020).
The new freestanding building houses the collection of classic modernism, the Bührle collection, temporary exhibitions and art from 1960 onwards.
The Kunsthaus Zürich now represents the largest art museum in Switzerland, comprising four buildings from different eras – the Moser building (1910), the Pfister building (1958), the Müller building (1976) and now the Chipperfield extension (2020).
The new freestanding building houses the collection of classic modernism, the Bührle collection, temporary exhibitions and art from 1960 onwards.
Entrance Heimplatz. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Staircase hall. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
View from the south-east. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
View into Central Hall from Heimplatz. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Central Hall, view to the north. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Central Hall, view to the south. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Staircase hall, transition to Garden of Art. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Exhibition room, First floor. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Exhibition room, First floor. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Exhibition room, First floor. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Exhibition room, First floor. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Exhibition room, Second floor. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Exhibition room, Second floor. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Exhibition room, Second floor. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Entrance to events hall, Ground floor. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Events hall. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Heimplatz façade (South elevation). New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe
Draft sketch © Christoph Felger / David Chipperfield Architects
Urban site plan. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
Site plan. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
Ground floor plan with surroundings. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
Lower ground floor plan – public area. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
Ground floor plan with section lines. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
First floor plan – Exhibition. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
Second floor plan – Exhibition. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
Cross section. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
Longitudinal section. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
North elevation. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
East elevation. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
South elevation. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
West elevation. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
Façade detail. New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects.
The central entrance hall designed by David Chipperfield Architects, with its space-defining open staircase, is the spatial and conceptual focus of the new extension building. The clarity of the internal organization is supported by its materiality and the use of light.
The extension references the historical buildings in the area. Vertical fins protruding in a consistent grid give rhythm to the large façades of the extension building. They are crafted from a Swiss Jura limestone whose colour nuances give the façades a vivid effect of depth and were built up solidly with an exquisite level of craftsmanship.
The visible supporting structure is the connecting element within the building. The structure of walls and ceilings made of reinforced concrete appears in the interior as exposed concrete. Marble, wood and brass complete the small range of key materials.
The interplay of architecture with natural light lends atmosphere to all areas of the rooms. The light-flooded central hall receives ample daylight through generous glass skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The bar, with its wall covering of green velvet, represents a conscious creative counterpoint to the restrained rooms of the museum. The integrated mural ‘Pétales et Jardin de la Nymphe Ancolie’ by Max Ernst, was initially created by the artist in 1934 for the Corso Bar, also in Zurich.
The extension references the historical buildings in the area. Vertical fins protruding in a consistent grid give rhythm to the large façades of the extension building. They are crafted from a Swiss Jura limestone whose colour nuances give the façades a vivid effect of depth and were built up solidly with an exquisite level of craftsmanship.
The visible supporting structure is the connecting element within the building. The structure of walls and ceilings made of reinforced concrete appears in the interior as exposed concrete. Marble, wood and brass complete the small range of key materials.
The interplay of architecture with natural light lends atmosphere to all areas of the rooms. The light-flooded central hall receives ample daylight through generous glass skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The bar, with its wall covering of green velvet, represents a conscious creative counterpoint to the restrained rooms of the museum. The integrated mural ‘Pétales et Jardin de la Nymphe Ancolie’ by Max Ernst, was initially created by the artist in 1934 for the Corso Bar, also in Zurich.
New Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph by Noshe.
Project description by David Chipperfield
The new Kunsthaus Zürich extension, designed by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin, expands the existing Kunsthaus museum, situated between the Grossmünster church and the university. The Kunsthaus Zürich now represents the largest art museum in Switzerland, comprising four buildings from different eras – the Moser building (1910), the Pfister building (1958), the Müller building (1976) and now the Chipperfield extension (2020). The new freestanding building houses the collection of classic modernism, the Bührle collection, temporary exhibitions and art from 1960 onwards.
Based on the Central Campus masterplan published in 2007, the museum buildings and the Schauspielhaus theatre located on the east side of the urban square Heimplatz, form a gateway of the arts as an urban entry to the education mile. Here, the large freestanding buildings of Zurich’s universities are lined up like a string of pearls leading northwards.
The urban concept for the extension envisaged the placement of a clear geometric volume on the northern edge of the square. The building form takes inspiration from the old cantonal school, built in 1842 to the north of the site, which defines the urban frame with its architectural clarity. The urban plan defines two new external spaces: the urban square to the south, framed on all four sides by buildings and the new Garden of Art to the north as an open and permeable natural environment. An expansive entrance hall, spanning the full length of the building, creates a link between these two new urban spaces. Due to its low-threshold accessibility it likewise acts as a public link between the institution and the city. A visitor passageway running underneath the square connects the new building with the existing Kunsthaus, creating one institutional entity.
The architectural identity is modelled on traditional stone façades, as found in the existing Kunsthaus and many other significant public buildings in Zurich. The extension is therefore embedded in a building culture that is an expression of an enlightened civil society. The new building combines tradition and innovation through slender vertical fins crafted from local Jurassic limestone with sawn surfaces and placed at regular intervals in the façade, embedding the building it its urban and cultural context in a contemporary manner.
The internal organisation is based on the concept of a ‘house of rooms’. This idea finds its expression in the different design of the rooms in terms of size, orientation, materiality and lighting, giving each its own character and creating a diverse sequence of spaces. All public functions such as the café/bar, events hall, museum shop and museum education services are arranged around the central entrance hall at ground floor level, while the two upper floors are reserved exclusively for the display of art. The varyingly dimensioned exhibition spaces are characterised by a calm materiality and an abundance of daylight – side light on the first floor and skylight openings on the second floor – placing the immediate experience of art at the centre of the visitor experience.
More information
Architects
David Chipperfield Architects Berlin. Partners.- David Chipperfield, Christoph Felger (Design lead), Harald Müller.
Project architects
Hans Krause (Competition, Concept design), Barbara Koller (Schematic design, Design development, Technical design), Jan Parth (Technical design, Site design supervision), Markus Bauer (Deputy project architect, 2009 – 2014), Robert Westphal (Deputy project architect, 2015 – 2020).
Project team
Wolfgang Baumeister, Leander Bulst, Beate Dauth, Kristen Finke, Pavel Frank, Anne Hengst, Ludwig Jahn, Frithjof Kahl, Guido Kappius, Jan-Philipp Neuer, Mariska Rohde, Diana Schaffrannek, Eva-Maria Stadelmann, Marc Warrington; Graphics, Visualisation: Konrad Basan, Dalia Liksaite, Maude Orban, Ken Polster, Antonia Schlegel, Simon Wiesmaier, Ute Zscharnt.
Competition team.- Ivan Dimitrov, Kristen Finke, Annette Flohrschütz, Pavel Frank, Gesche Gerber, Peter von Matuschka, Sebastian von Oppen, Mariska Rohde, Franziska Rusch, Lilli Scherner, Lani Tran Duc, Marc Warrington; Graphics, Visualisation: Dalia Liksaite, Antonia Schlegel, Ute Zscharnt.
Competition team.- Ivan Dimitrov, Kristen Finke, Annette Flohrschütz, Pavel Frank, Gesche Gerber, Peter von Matuschka, Sebastian von Oppen, Mariska Rohde, Franziska Rusch, Lilli Scherner, Lani Tran Duc, Marc Warrington; Graphics, Visualisation: Dalia Liksaite, Antonia Schlegel, Ute Zscharnt.
Collaborators
Executive architect.- b + p baurealisation ag, Zurich (Procurement, Construction supervision), Project architects: David Michel, Christian Gruober.
Overall management.- Niels Hochuli, Dreicon AG, Zurich.
Structural engineer.- IGB Ingenieurgruppe Bauen, Karlsruhe. dsp - Ingenieure & Planer AG, Greifensee. Ingenieurgemeinschaft Kunsthauserweiterung, Zurich.
Services engineer.- Polke, Ziege, von Moos AG, Zurich. Hefti. Hess. Martignoni. Holding AG, Aarau.
Building physics.- Kopitsis Bauphysik AG, Wohlen.
Fire consultant.- Gruner AG, Basel. ContiSwiss, Zurich.
Façade consultant.- Emmer Pfenninger Partner AG, Munchenstein.
Lighting consultant.- matí AG Lichtgestaltung, Adliswil (Artificial light).
Institut für Tageslichttechnik, Stuttgart (Daylight).
Signage.- L2M3 Kommunikationsdesign GmbH, Stuttgart.
Landscape architect.- Wirtz International nv, Schoten. KOLB Landschaftsarchitektur GmbH, Zurich.
Overall management.- Niels Hochuli, Dreicon AG, Zurich.
Structural engineer.- IGB Ingenieurgruppe Bauen, Karlsruhe. dsp - Ingenieure & Planer AG, Greifensee. Ingenieurgemeinschaft Kunsthauserweiterung, Zurich.
Services engineer.- Polke, Ziege, von Moos AG, Zurich. Hefti. Hess. Martignoni. Holding AG, Aarau.
Building physics.- Kopitsis Bauphysik AG, Wohlen.
Fire consultant.- Gruner AG, Basel. ContiSwiss, Zurich.
Façade consultant.- Emmer Pfenninger Partner AG, Munchenstein.
Lighting consultant.- matí AG Lichtgestaltung, Adliswil (Artificial light).
Institut für Tageslichttechnik, Stuttgart (Daylight).
Signage.- L2M3 Kommunikationsdesign GmbH, Stuttgart.
Landscape architect.- Wirtz International nv, Schoten. KOLB Landschaftsarchitektur GmbH, Zurich.
Client
Einfache Gesellschaft Kunsthaus Erweiterung – EGKE.
User
Kunsthaus Zürich | Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft.
Area
Gross floor area.- 23,300.
Dates
Competition.- 2008.
Project start.- 2009.
Construction start.- 2015.
Completion.- 2020.
Opening.- 2021.
Project start.- 2009.
Construction start.- 2015.
Completion.- 2020.
Opening.- 2021.
Contractors and suppliers
Façade.- Staudtcarrera AG, Zwingen, Switzerland (Liesberg jurassic limestone, Cast stone).
Sottas AG, Bulle, Switzerland (Windows).
AGC Glass Europe, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium (Glass).
Exposed concrete.- Marti AG, Zürich, Switzerland.
Flooring.- Lauster Steinbau GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany (Krastal marble).
Wimmer Gmbh, Töging am Inn, Germany (Oak parquet).
GDM Parkette, Uster, Switzerland (Parquet laying).
Fittings.- Baur Metallbau AG, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
(Brass wall claddings, handrails).
Built-in furniture.- Bau- & Holzwerker AG, Zürich, Switzerland (Information counter).
Teamplan Josef Meyer GmbH, Nordhorn, Germany
(Carpentry work cloakrooms).
Glaeser Wogg AG, Baden, Switzerland (Carpentry work, bar).
Pfister Ladenbau AG, Worb, Switzerland (Carpentry work, shop).
Luminaires.- BEGA, Menden, Germany (Entrance hall).
Viabizzuno srl, Bentivoglio, Italy (Bar, shop).
Furniture.- Minotti, Meda, Italy (Benches, exhibition spaces).
Horgenglarus, Glarus, Switzerland (Chairs, bar).
Fritz Hansen, Allerød, Denmark (Chairs, events hall).
Textiles.- Kvadrat, Ebeltoft, Denmark.
Sottas AG, Bulle, Switzerland (Windows).
AGC Glass Europe, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium (Glass).
Exposed concrete.- Marti AG, Zürich, Switzerland.
Flooring.- Lauster Steinbau GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany (Krastal marble).
Wimmer Gmbh, Töging am Inn, Germany (Oak parquet).
GDM Parkette, Uster, Switzerland (Parquet laying).
Fittings.- Baur Metallbau AG, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
(Brass wall claddings, handrails).
Built-in furniture.- Bau- & Holzwerker AG, Zürich, Switzerland (Information counter).
Teamplan Josef Meyer GmbH, Nordhorn, Germany
(Carpentry work cloakrooms).
Glaeser Wogg AG, Baden, Switzerland (Carpentry work, bar).
Pfister Ladenbau AG, Worb, Switzerland (Carpentry work, shop).
Luminaires.- BEGA, Menden, Germany (Entrance hall).
Viabizzuno srl, Bentivoglio, Italy (Bar, shop).
Furniture.- Minotti, Meda, Italy (Benches, exhibition spaces).
Horgenglarus, Glarus, Switzerland (Chairs, bar).
Fritz Hansen, Allerød, Denmark (Chairs, events hall).
Textiles.- Kvadrat, Ebeltoft, Denmark.
Photography
David Chipperfield
David Chipperfield was born in London in 1953 and studied architecture at the Kingston School of Art and the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London before working at the practices of Douglas Stephen, Richard Rogers and Norman Foster.
In 1985 he founded David Chipperfield Architects, which today has over 300 staff at its offices in London, Berlin, Milan and Shanghai.
David Chipperfield has taught and held conferences in Europe and the United States and has received honorary degrees from the universities of Kingston and Kent.
He is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and an honorary fellow of both the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Bund Deutscher Architekten (BDA). In 2009 he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and in 2010 he received a knighthood for services to architecture in the UK and Germany. In 2011 he received the RIBA Royal Gold Medal for Architecture and in 2013 the Praemium Imperiale from the Japan Art Association, while in 2021 he was appointed a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in recognition of a lifetime’s work.
In 2012 he curated the 13th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale.
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