Architecture firm from Zurich designs new Bern Art Museum
Published: Monday, Aug 19th 2024, 11:30
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A Zurich architectural firm has won the competition for the Kunstmuseum Bern. Extensive renovations and a new replacement building are planned. The project was preceded by decades of back and forth with numerous setbacks.
The winner of the competition was Zurich-based Schmidlin Architekten. The decision was made by a specialist and expert jury. The result should be "a convincing ensemble of buildings that opens up towards Hodlerstrasse and the Aare slope", as the museum's managers announced to the media on Monday.
The Stettler building from 1879 and the third future museum building (Hodlerstrasse 6), which the city will hand over to the museum, are to be renovated. The project envisages a free-standing replacement building for the Atelier 5 annex. Hodlerstrasse in front of the museum is to be upgraded.
According to those responsible, funding will be provided by the public sector, private patrons, foundations and the private sector. Among the patrons is the Bernese billionaire Hansjörg Wyss, who wants to contribute 30 million francs.
Opening planned for 2033
The total costs for the renovation of the existing buildings and the new replacement building amount to around 147 million francs. This includes the expected construction costs of around 27 million francs by the time the museum opens, according to the statement. The museum is to be renovated and extended between 2029 and 2033. The reopening is planned for the end of 2033.
The international project competition was launched in summer 2022. The architectural competition was based on the "Future of the Kunstmuseum Bern" concept. This envisaged Bern having a modern art museum in an attractive setting.
The Bern Art Museum needs more space and the extension is in need of renovation. Plans for an extension have therefore been underway for years, but there have been repeated setbacks and projects, some at an advanced stage, have not been implemented.
Schmidlin Architekten (Zurich and Engadin) already designed the Muzeum Susch in the canton of Graubünden, a museum for contemporary art.
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