Acclaimed Swiss architect Peter Zumthor has unveiled plans for the Fondation Beyeler's new extension, creating a new public park in the heart of Riehen, Switzerland - just located outside of the city of Basel.

The new extension will be constructed on the previously private land of the Iselin-Weber Park, which will expand the Fondation Beyeler. Paino's plans show that the scheme will create a new public park in the heart of Riehen, by doubling the size of the park as part of the development plan. 

The extension project of the Fondation Beyeler by Atelier Peter Zumthor House for Art and Pavilion, view from the west along the Bachtelenweg in the direction of Baselstrasse. Image courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

With Piano's new vision, the Fondation Beyeler creates a group of museum buildings that satisfies the needs of a visitor-friendly museum. The $100-million complex is composed of three relatively small buildings, distributing functions around this scheme. 

The extension will feature new gallery spaces and a series of event spaces feeding the existing museum, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) -a modern and historic museum opened in 1997.

The extension project of the Fondation Beyeler by Atelier Peter Zumthor House for Art, view from the Iselin-Weber Park. Image courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

Renzo Piano's complex is inspired by Riehen’s "village-like character" and organisation and the scheme features sandstone-coated buildings that adapt the Beyeler's existing scale. A group of buildings is harmoniously integrated into the natural environment. 

Zumthor will also add a simple service building for administration and deliveries, a transparent pavilion for events and a House for Art. Together, they will create a subtle link between the two parks, which were designed by the same landscape architect, Jean-François Caillat, in the early 19th century.

The extension project of the Fondation Beyeler by Atelier Peter Zumthor House for Art, view from the Iselin-Weber Park. Image courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

The extension project (acquisition of the land and existing buildings, funding of the new building, and operating and maintenance costs for the first ten years) is being privately financed. 

"An amount of CHF 50 million has already been firmly committed. Generous donations from the Wyss Foundation and the Daros Collection of the Stephan Schmidheiny family provide the cornerstone for the project’s realisation," stated the Fondation Beyeler in a press release.

The extension project of the Fondation Beyeler by Atelier Peter Zumthor House for Art, exhibition Space. Image courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

"I want to create buildings that are loved" said Peter Zumthor, adding "having the chance to do so in Basel, the city of my youth, is a particular honor for me."

"The extension project is an important step in the development of the Fondation Beyeler and will increase the facilities available to visitors. Above all, it is a major gift for Riehen", is the enthusiastic comment of Hansjörg Wyss, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Beyeler-Stiftung and the President of the Assessment Board, as well as the project’s initiator.

The extension project of the Fondation Beyeler by Atelier Peter Zumthor House for Art and Pavilion (right-hand side), view from the Berower Park. Image courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

"Peter Zumthor brings great experience to the construction of cultural buildings and has the necessary sensitivity to build a museum of outstanding quality in this very special spot in the heart of Riehen. The interaction between human beings, nature, art and architecture that has always characterized the Fondation Beyeler will be as successfully achieved as it was twenty years ago by Renzo Piano", stated Sam Keller, the Director of the Fondation Beyeler.

Last year, Peter Zumthor was unanimously selected among from eleven renowned architectural firms from all over the world. In addition to these, the Fondation Beyeler announced that starting from today, the new park will be accessible to all the inhabitants of Riehen and admission to the museum will be free of charge.

The Atelier Peter Zumthor’s project with plans and models will be exhibited for two weeks in the Town Hall of Riehen, Wettsteinstrasse 1, 4125 Riehen from May 10 to May 23, 2017.

> via The Fondation Beyeler