Peter Zumthor to Design Fondation Beyeler Extension in Basel

Peter Zumthor has won the international competition to design the extension of the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen, Basel, Switzerland. The Pritzker Prize-winning architect (2009) was unanimously selected by an expert jury from eleven invited international firms. The project, estimated at 100 million Swiss francs, will add three new buildings on the adjacent Iselin-Weber estate, acquired by the foundation. The main building, the 'House for Art' (Casa dell'Arte), will provide 1,500 square meters of exhibition space across three levels, featuring generous windows to admit natural light. A second building will house operational functions, connected underground to the House for Art. A single-story event pavilion will be located in the Berower park, acting as a filter between Zumthor's new structures and Renzo Piano's existing museum building. The landscape is designed by Jean-Francois Caillat, preserving the historic arboretum. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of summer 2021 and last two years, pending approval from the Canton of Basel. The extension will nearly double the public park area. Hansjörg Wyss, a longtime patron, is a key promoter. Sam Keller, director of the Fondation Beyeler, expressed enthusiasm. Public presentations of the project will take place at the museum from May 5-7 and at the town hall from May 10-23, 2017. About half of the funding is already secured through private donations.