Peter Zumthor’s ambitious expansion of the Fondation Beyeler unveils a captivating architectural feat that gradually opens to the public from September 26th, 2026, with full access set for January 2027. Nestled in Riehen, near Basel, this project resonates with Zumthor’s philosophy of architecture as a seamless element of its environment. By incorporating the harmony between art and nature through adding three distinctive structures, an expansive park, and revitalizing historic edifices, Zumthor expands beyond Renzo Piano’s original design, fostering a balance among art, architecture, and the natural world.
Art and Nature Integration: The Trio of Architecture
Zumthor’s design reimagines the museum through the distribution of functions across three buildings, ensuring each resonates with the landscape‘s natural contours. The Wyss Museum, Ammann Pavilion, and Erlen Torhaus each bring unique responses to the site, embedding themselves within the verdant expanse and offering 10,000 square meters of additional public garden space formerly inaccessible. The Wyss Museum, in particular, adds 1,500 square meters of exhibition space, creatively integrated around existing ginkgo, redwood, and plane trees, emphasizing the organic interplay between structure and site, embodying this seamless union.
For a further exploration of how architecture and landscapes intertwine, discover the Visionary Plaza on Roosevelt Island where nature meets cultural elements.
This visionary approach results from a rigorous selection process, with Zumthor’s design celebrated for its distinct yet cohesive structures over a singular imposing extension. “I wanted my buildings to blend in so naturally, that it felt completely self-evident,” Zumthor remarks, highlighting his commitment to architectural harmony.
The Wyss Museum: A Celebration of Stone and Light
The Wyss Museum, characterized by its irregular Y-shape, utilizes Jura limestone as both a structural and aesthetic cornerstone. This material permeates throughout, appearing in floors, ceilings, and the building’s distinctly warm, rammed-concrete facade. Constructed by hand, this facade carries the tactile story of its creation, a testament to craftsmanship and the passage of time. Zumthor describes the museum as a ‘big spiral’ that guides visitors through a flowing experience, where art and the surrounding landscape coexist in seamless balance, showcasing this integration.
A Dynamic Cultural Center: Ammann Pavilion
Central to the new ensemble, the Ammann Pavilion emerges as a hub for art, music, and public engagement. Constructed with an inviting blend of glass and oak, this free-to-access venue hosts up to 250 guests for concerts, performances, and cultural events. Its strategic design accommodates both intimate gatherings and dynamic social functions, maintaining an inviting warmth through the careful selection of cherry and pear wood interiors.
If Zumthor’s integration of art and nature captivates you, explore how Fujiko Nakaya’s Fog Sculpture transforms spaces into dynamic art environments.
Revitalizing Nature and History
The Fondation Beyeler’s expansion also transforms almost 10,000 square meters of previously private parkland into a vibrant public space. This continued legacy of the 19th-century English landscape gardens now becomes an immersive environment, rich with native flora and entwined with ecological reserves. Visitors can meander over Zumthor’s elegantly engineered bridge, finding art nestled among trees and serene water features — a celebration of nature’s integral role in the museum’s narrative and a testament to their integration.
Accompanying these architectural triumphs, historical buildings receive new life. India Mahdavi transforms the Orangerie into a greenhouse-cum-shop, while the Erlen Torhaus and other structures adaptively reuse existing spaces to enrich visitor experiences through education, art, and music.
A Preview of Nouvelle Grandeur
Commencing its public journey in a phased preview, the expanded Fondation Beyeler officially welcomes daily visitors from January 15th, 2027. The inaugural showcase, “Constellations,” will weave over 200 art pieces throughout this newly created cultural enclave. Here, architecture, nature, and art intertwine, serving not just as a house for art, but a beloved place of connection, reflection, and inspiration — all encapsulated in Peter Zumthor’s visionary phrase: “I try to build buildings that are loved.”
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
When will the Fondation Beyeler’s expansion fully open?
The Fondation Beyeler’s expansion will fully open to the public in January 2027, following a gradual public opening starting from September 26th, 2026.
What is unique about the design of the Wyss Museum?
The Wyss Museum features an irregular Y-shape and utilizes Jura limestone for both its structural and aesthetic elements, including a warm, rammed-concrete facade hand-constructed to tell the story of its creation.
What will the Ammann Pavilion be used for?
The Ammann Pavilion will serve as a hub for art, music, and public engagement, hosting up to 250 guests for concerts, performances, and cultural events with its inviting blend of glass and oak construction.