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For the realisation of the Kunsthaus Zürich extension
Draft competition rendering by David Chipperfield (November 2008)
Architects Ltd/Imaging Atelier
Image: Kunsthaus Zurich
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Kunsthaus Zürich
Heimplatz 1
8001 Zürich
Tel. +41 (0)44 253 84 84
Opening Times:
Sat/Sun/Tues 10 a.m.–6 p.m.,
Wed/Thurs/Fri 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
www.kunsthaus.ch
Exhibition of competition submissions from 16 December 2008 to 11 January 2009
The project submitted by the renowned architect David Chipperfield was selected by a large majority on 7 November 2008 as the winner of the competition for an extension to the Kunsthaus. The international jury found the design’s pristine elegance offers the best solution to the planned museum’s needs, as set out in the Competition Brief, in terms of both content and urban planning: the arrangement and construction of its exhibition rooms are convincing, its visitor management and operational organization are both exemplary, and it complies with all security provisions. It provides for outstanding lighting and, in conformance with the demands of building ecology, promises an excellent energy balance sheet. The design of its façades, conceived as modules and featuring logical details, is among the best of the solutions proposed. The construction’s monolithic volume will lend a strikingly urban note to Heimplatz. While exuding self-confidence, the building is also clearly conscious of Karl Moser’s existing structure opposite, and its garden maintains a respectful distance from the old cantonal school. The project is in accordance with the University District/Central Zurich development plan, and the building's size will allow it to refer to other key elements of the plan, such as the main campuses of the University of Zurich and the ETH, both in Rämistrasse. According to the jury’s report, the extension’s compact footprint and optimal underground connection with the existing museum will serve both the art world and the public well.
The quality of the design’s entrance area (from Heimplatz to the central hall), the access it provides to the public art garden and the garden’s own arrangement can all be improved during the project phase. In its remarks to the client, the jury also calls for optimization of the design’s above-ground volumetrics as well as the building’s reference to its immediate environment.
The selection of the winning design and the ranking of the runners-up occurred anonymously. In addition to Chipperfield Architects (1st prize), which already has several acclaimed museum projects to its credit around the world, the following firms were also awarded prizes: Gigon/Guyer, Zurich (2nd prize), Max Dudler, Zurich/Berlin (3rd prize), and Grazioli/Krischanitz, Zurich (4th prize). The project submitted by Diener&Diener, of Basel, was purchased for its valuable contribution to the decision-making process.
The jury, presided over by Walter B. Kielholz and moderated by Prof. Carl Fingerhuth, expressed its satisfaction with the high quality of all 20 submissions. All shortlisted projects observe the client’s budget and comply with the demands of the ‘2000-Watt Society’.
The participants were also invited to make proposals for the design and use of Heimplatz, which falls outside the competition's purview. For reasons of traffic circulation, however, Chipperfield’s proposed diminution of traffic volume (by eliminating the Zeltweg extension in front of the existing Kunsthaus) will likely remain wishful thinking.
The interior of the extension will certainly be in flux. Chipperfield’s design fulfills the core requirements for a dynamic presentation of the Kunsthaus collection. The building is to be devoted to the exhibition of art created since the 1960s, and its re-configurable suites of rooms – flexibly deployable and appropriate for the showing of new media, prints and drawings, and photography, as well as pictures, installations and sculptures – will make possible a range of uses and presentation styles. The rooms offer an exciting contrast with the classical format of the galleries intended for the private Bührle Collection, which will see the emergence of a new speciality – French painting and Impressionism – to complement the Kunsthaus collection of classical modernism. The plan’s integration of workshops for art appreciation, a banquet hall, and urgently needed space for medium-sized exhibitions, is exemplary. Finally, the planned central hall will confront visitors with art before they even enter the museum proper, and provide a user-friendly showcase for Kunsthaus offerings.
The Kunsthaus extension's partners – the Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft, the city of Zurich, and the Stiftung Zürcher Kunsthaus – had commissioned the Building Surveyor’s Office of the city of Zurich to hold the competition, for which the city legislature approved a project loan of CHF 6.5 million in March of 2008, to be used as well to begin development of the projects submitted. Now that the architectural competition has closed, work is very much on schedule. The next steps include project development and elaboration of a design plan to be submitted for the legislature’s approval. Once the construction project has been presented, the legislature will be asked to approve a credit facility (likely in 2010/2011), which will also require ratification by Zurich’s electorate. The extension is to cost CHF 150 million (as calculated in 2006, without adjustment for inflation or reserves), to be financed equally by the public and private sectors. The Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft is responsible for raising CHF 75 million in private funds, comprising donations from companies, foundations and individual patrons made up until the move-in date (planned by 2015).
All submissions to the competition will be shown from 16 December 2008 until 11 January 2009 in the lecture hall of the Kunsthaus Zürich (open Sat/Sun/Tue from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Wed/Thu/Fri from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.). Admission is free of charge. Public guided tours will be held on 16 Dec. at 5 p.m., on 19 Dec. at 6 p.m., on 30 Dec. at 2.30 p.m. and on 7 Dec. at 6 p.m. The jury’s report can be purchased for a nominal charge of CHF 15, either at the Kunsthaus or at the Office for Building and Construction (reception).
See www.kunsthaus.ch for a list of jury members and participating architectural offices, an overview of the ranking and the prize money awarded, and documentation of the project’s aims and status.
Information about David Chipperfield Architects is available at www.davidchipperfield.co.uk.
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