'If it’s too slick, it looks like a fashion mag': Peter Zumthor on his £110m rammed concrete gallery
It is one of the world’s finest collections, full of Monets, Miros and Picassos. But is the great Swiss architect’s extension for the Beyeler Foundation a worthy addition? Or is it a bit luxury boutique?
TL;DR
- Peter Zumthor, an 83-year-old Swiss architect, has designed his first project in his hometown of Basel: a £110m gallery extension for the Beyeler Foundation.
- The new ensemble includes a monolithic gallery, an office block, and an auditorium pavilion, all characterized by custom-made, meticulously handcrafted elements.
- Zumthor contrasts his approach with American architecture, emphasizing the value of custom craftsmanship and 'the Basel pride in the well-built object.'
- The main gallery's interior is described as 'cave-like,' with limestone terrazzo floors, lime-washed walls, and pale concrete ceilings, potentially flattening the displayed artworks.
- The project utilizes Zumthor's signature 'rammed concrete' technique, also known as 'farmer concrete,' which intentionally leaves visible traces of the building process.
- The extension aims to provide a 'domestic' and 'villa-like' presence, contrasting with Renzo Piano's more 'industrial' original museum design.
- The auditorium pavilion is conceived as a public lounge accessible without a ticket, functioning as a social space and an extension of the park.