The 2021 Kunsthaus Zürich extension by David Chipperfield enriches Zurich’s cultural fabric with its integration of urban spaces, contemporary design, and functional layout, seamlessly blending tradition, modernity, and accessibility.
The Kunsthaus Zürich, Switzerland’s largest art museum, introduced a new extension in 2021, designed by David Chipperfield. This addition not only expands the museum's physical capacity but also adds to Zurich's cultural and urban fabric, creating and artistic and architectural statement.
The urban plan of the extension features two distinct external spaces: an urban square to the south, enclosed on all sides by architectural structures, and an open art garden to the north, offering a tranquil, natural environment. At the core of the design is an expansive entrance hall, which spans the building's entire length and connects these two exterior spaces. This hall, illuminated by floor-to-ceiling windows, serves as a public passage, seamlessly linking the museum with the city and promoting accessibility. Architecturally, the new building harmonizes tradition and modernity. Its design draws inspiration from the stone façades of the original Kunsthaus and other Zurich landmarks. The façade’s thin vertical fins, crafted from locally sourced Jurassic limestone, reflect the city's architectural heritage while embodying a contemporary identity. These regularly spaced elements create a rhythm that integrates the structure into its historical and cultural context.
The building’s internal layout follows the concept of a house of rooms, offering a series of distinct spaces designed to enhance the art-viewing experience. Public amenities, including a café, event hall, museum shop, and educational facilities, are strategically positioned around the central entrance hall on the ground floor, creating a vibrant social atmosphere. The upper floors are dedicated to art, showcasing both the museum’s permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.
One of the extension’s most innovative features is an underground passageway that links the new building to the existing Kunsthaus across Heimplatz, uniting the institution into a single institutional entity.
The building’s geometric clarity and understated elegance are reminiscent of the old cantonal school to the north of the site, anchoring the extension within Zurich’s urban grid. By balancing architectural clarity with thoughtful urban planning, the new extension of Kunsthaus Zürich shows how design can seamlessly blend culture, community, and history into a unified experience.
David Chipperfield’s visionary design ensures that the Kunsthaus remains not just a collection of art but also an integral part of Zurich’s cultural landscape.
The Kunsthaus Zürich, Switzerland’s largest art museum, introduced a new extension in 2021, designed by David Chipperfield. This addition not only expands the museum's physical capacity but also adds to Zurich's cultural and urban fabric, creating and artistic and architectural statement.
The urban plan of the extension features two distinct external spaces: an urban square to the south, enclosed on all sides by architectural structures, and an open art garden to the north, offering a tranquil, natural environment. At the core of the design is an expansive entrance hall, which spans the building's entire length and connects these two exterior spaces. This hall, illuminated by floor-to-ceiling windows, serves as a public passage, seamlessly linking the museum with the city and promoting accessibility. Architecturally, the new building harmonizes tradition and modernity. Its design draws inspiration from the stone façades of the original Kunsthaus and other Zurich landmarks. The façade’s thin vertical fins, crafted from locally sourced Jurassic limestone, reflect the city's architectural heritage while embodying a contemporary identity. These regularly spaced elements create a rhythm that integrates the structure into its historical and cultural context.
The building’s internal layout follows the concept of a house of rooms, offering a series of distinct spaces designed to enhance the art-viewing experience. Public amenities, including a café, event hall, museum shop, and educational facilities, are strategically positioned around the central entrance hall on the ground floor, creating a vibrant social atmosphere. The upper floors are dedicated to art, showcasing both the museum’s permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.
One of the extension’s most innovative features is an underground passageway that links the new building to the existing Kunsthaus across Heimplatz, uniting the institution into a single institutional entity.
The building’s geometric clarity and understated elegance are reminiscent of the old cantonal school to the north of the site, anchoring the extension within Zurich’s urban grid. By balancing architectural clarity with thoughtful urban planning, the new extension of Kunsthaus Zürich shows how design can seamlessly blend culture, community, and history into a unified experience.
David Chipperfield’s visionary design ensures that the Kunsthaus remains not just a collection of art but also an integral part of Zurich’s cultural landscape.
