Questions and answers

The two museum buildings – the Stettler Building from 1879 and the expansion from 1983 (Atelier 5 building) – are in urgent need of renovation. Serious defects exist with regard to the building services and HVAC systems, load-bearing structure (earthquake safety), accessibility, art delivery and logistics, lighting, safety and escape routes and the long-term protection of cultural assets (art depot). Operations at the Atelier 5 building may only continue until the end of 2030 for structural reasons. The Stettler Building needs to be renovated soon because the building services equipment is already over 25 years old; further postponement increases the risk of unplanned interruptions to operations and leads to higher costs for ensuring the operability of the building services equipment.

According to a feasibility study published in 2019, replacing the Atelier 5 building (instead of performing extensive renovation work) while simultaneously incorporating the Hodlerstrasse 6 building is the best solution for the museum’s renovation project. This approach focuses not on enlarging the exhibition space, but on creating a convincing overall concept that enables efficient and resource-conserving museum operations with attractive offers. Kunstmuseum Bern would not have to build expensive office space in the new building and also gains space by moving the bistro outside the museum.

The replacement building will enable the Kunstmuseum to create visitor-friendly exhibition halls and depot rooms that satisfy modern-day standards, open the museum up toward the city and the slope of the Aare River, and also offer new art experiences. The renovated Stettler Building, the addition of the Hodlerstrasse 6 office building and the replacement building will enable the Kunstmuseum to fulfil its mandate of protecting, caring for and sharing the first-rate cultural assets entrusted to it, allowing it to evolve in a sustainable and forward-looking way as a cultural beacon of Canton Bern.

The Kunstmuseum Bern of the 21st century focuses on people’s needs: an inviting, open entrance to the building is just as important as attractive education rooms, barrier-free access, sufficient food service offerings and spaces for visitors to reflect, meet and exchange ideas. The renovation will enable Kunstmuseum Bern to meet international standards in terms of exhibition climate, security, protection of cultural assets, art delivery, service quality and visitor friendliness.

Thanks to its collections and exhibitions, Kunstmuseum Bern is well received by the public and media, and is recognised both nationally and internationally as a renowned address for studying and teaching about art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum welcomes 100,000 visitors a year on average. What the Kunstmuseum lacks is a modern, sustainable infrastructure. More suitable exhibition rooms and state-of-the-art infrastructure will enable the museum to play more effectively to its strengths, better engage with the public and continue its successful international collaboration.

Gentle transitions from the street to the building will make the renovated museum easily accessible. The entrance, clearly visible from the outside, and the foyer will welcome visitors with an inviting gesture. The new, open and bright exhibition rooms will create the conditions needed to provide a modern-day art experience. The art education centre will gain attractive rooms for its diverse offering and direct access to the newly created Aare terrace. Food services will now also be accessible outside exhibition hours. Non-commercial recreational areas and a modern events hall will transform Kunstmuseum Bern into an inclusive, public place where people can congregate and communicate. 

Thanks to the size, flexibility, height and lighting conditions as well as higher load-bearing capacities at the new facilities, it will be possible to display all artistic media side by side without any restrictions: works on paper are then found next to sculptures, paintings, installations or videos. The museum also wants to tread new paths in the area of education: the new formats will intertwine analogue and digital art education and open up new ways for people to come into contact with art. Larger and more attractive studios with a connection to the outdoor space are planned for art education. A room is also planned where restoration projects will be visible to the public. These changes are aimed at enabling the museum to show existing activities that had previously taken place behind the scenes to a wide audience. It also plans to make the activities of the provenance research department permanently visible in one room.

The museum plans to address groups that are not currently accustomed to using the museum in a more targeted manner and get them involved in the programmes. Kunstmuseum Bern considers itself part of an inclusive society in which everyone is welcome. This requires interactive formats and opportunities to take part, and these will play an increasingly important role in art education activities. 

Visiting a museum is a holistic experience. With that in mind, the plans include ample food services that are available even outside the museum’s hours of operation and for events not related to the museum’s operations. The winning “Eiger” project envisages a ground-level bistro in the Hodlerstrasse 6 building. It is located right next to the newly created museum square and can bring the square to life with outdoor seating. No actual restaurant is planned, however, since that is not one of a museum’s core tasks. This issue was explored in clarifications undertaken in the run-up to the competition; they confirmed the fact that the food service offerings in the nearby city centre are already extremely good and comprehensive.

The museum’s planned renovation relies on energy-efficient, climate-friendly solutions – not only during renovation, conversion and construction of the new building but also during operation once the project has been completed. A list of criteria, including all relevant sustainability aspects, has been incorporated into the competition programme. This is based on the SIA standard “Sustainable Architecture – Building Construction” and the detailed structure of the “Swiss Sustainable Building Standard” that builds on the SIA standard. Under the leadership of Brian Cody, Professor at the Institute of Buildings and Energy at Graz University of Technology, sustainability was a key suitability criterion throughout the competition process. The museum strives to embrace sustainability in every dimension, including environmental, economic and social aspects alike. The Kunstmuseum will use low-impact materials for the planned renovation and use them sparingly; it will optimise its operating and property costs over the course of the buildings’ life cycle, make a positive contribution to the region’s economy and promote cultural participation and inclusion among vastly different portions of the population.

Studies at the beginning of the competition process showed that there were no preferences regarding preservation or reconstruction with regard to sustainability over the buildings’ entire life cycle. Although the replacement building will indeed consume more grey energy during construction, it will make it possible to save energy during operation, especially in the area of climate control.

To optimise the use of resources, regional solutions are to be found wherever possible when transporting materials to the museum and when manufacturing products for the museum. Building systems and materials should be robust, easy maintenance and guarantee that they retain their value for a long time to come. Studies at the beginning of the competition process showed that there were no preferences regarding preservation or reconstruction with regard to sustainability over the entire life cycle. The solid construction will indeed consume more grey energy during construction, but will make it possible to save energy on climate control during operation. As such, sustainability has been incorporated as a key selection criterion throughout the entire competition process under the leadership of Prof. Brian Cody.

Museums are buildings with strict requirements for consistent temperature and humidity levels in exhibition rooms and rooms used for cultural heritage protection. Proven sustainability experts are being involved to ensure that the new replacement building is highly energy efficient. They will pursue the architectural solutions capable of satisfying the climate-related requirements with the least technical effort. Carbon-free operation is possible, making the net-zero target attainable, as long as the electricity and district heating come from renewable energy sources.

Die massive Bauweise des Ersatzneubaus, die Verwendung von unterhaltsarmen Materialen, die Konstruktion sowie die neuen Klima- und Kälteanlagen ermöglichen einen ressourcenschonenden und energieeffizienten Betrieb. Das Gebäudevolumen des Neubaus ist kompakt: je kleiner das Volumen, desto weniger muss geheizt, befeuchtet und klimatisiert werden. Die substanziellen Mauern weisen eine gute thermische Speicherkapazität auf und tragen so zu einem stabilen Raumklima bei. Mit Blick auf das Raumklima ist auch der relativ geringe Fensteranteil ein Pluspunkt, wobei das Projekt diesbezüglich in der Projektierung noch optimiert wird. Um den Energieverbrauch für die Herstellung der notwendigen raumklimatischen Konditionen möglichst gering zu halten, ist in den Ausstellungsräumen eine Innenbeleuchtung geplant, die möglichst wenig Wärme abgibt. 

The Kunstmuseum of the future will be able to operate on a minimal amount of non-renewable energies and minimise its greenhouse gas emissions. It will purchase renewable energy from local power companies. Even today, Kunstmuseum Bern is already connected to the municipal district heating supply of Energie Wasser Bern. This efficient source of energy shall continue to be guaranteed.

The transformation of Hodlerstrasse in particular will improve the urban climate. Porous surfaces (mortar-free paving) help mitigate excessive heat in summer by letting water drain into the subsurface layer, evaporate again when temperatures rise and cool the surroundings in the process. Planting a new row of trees will also help make the urban environment more pleasant. Not only do the trees provide shade, but the moisture they hold also helps cool their surroundings. Planted areas are envisaged for the planned museum square as well. There will be a gap between the new building and the Stettler Building which will allow cooler air from the slope of the Aare to flow into the city.

148 teams of architects submitted their applications in an open two-stage architectural competition with a prequalification round. 39 were selected by the broad-based expert jury and panel of specialists, and 11 of these were subsequently invited to refine their project proposal. Three teams then took part in the revision stage.

The competition was conducted anonymously from stage one, meaning that the jury knew which 39 architectural teams were submitting entries, but not which proposal was submitted by which team. The proposals were examined in terms of their functionality, cost-effectiveness, spatial qualities, sustainability, usability, construction costs, choice of materials, etc. The winners announced in 2024 are the young and innovative office of Schmidlin Architekten (Zurich and Engadine), who have also previously won the Swiss-Architects “2019 Building of the Year” award for Muzeum Susch (Grisons).  

The winning project from the international architectural competition presents a convincing solution for the challenging site and is the most suitable option for further processing and realisation. The jury’s reasoning can be summarised as follows:

• The expansion of the Kunstmuseum is based on a distinctive new building that complements the row of prestigious public buildings on the northern slope of the Aare River. The building makes full use of the height cited as possible in the feasibility study, forms a moderate high point similar to that of the City Theatre’s fly tower, and fits in well with the city skyline. The free-standing new building forms a distinctive counterpart to the neoclassical Stettler Building, which is given significantly more space and regains its architectural independence.
• The new building will be set back from Hodlerstrasse, creating a spacious forecourt which will invite people to visit the museum and make it possible to use the space in new ways. This creates clear added value for both the city and the museum. The new museum square will serve as a meeting point and place for art in public spaces. The ground-level bistro in the Hodlerstrasse 6 building will become a lively part of the square.
• The Stettler Building, the new building and the property at Hodlerstrasse 6 will form an ensemble around the museum square, architecturally bound together by the clever spatial layout of the buildings. The three separate buildings from different eras with their individual characteristics will play off one another, giving the museum square a dynamic feel.
• A terraced courtyard garden will link the new building with the bistro and draw more attention to the city walls. A wide outdoor staircase between the Stettler Building and the new building will lead down to the new Aare-side terrace, a public space that can be used in a variety of ways – as a picnic area for schools or for art education activities.
• The clarity of the urban design continues indoors. The main entrance to the Kunstmuseum in the new building opens into a spacious foyer visible from outside that can be accessed regardless of whether one is visiting the museum and where various activities can take place. From here, the stairs and elevators lead clearly through the entire building. A trip to the museum becomes a “two-part” visit and therefore double the experience: firstly, guests can explore the new building with its three stand-alone exhibition rooms located one above the other. Secondly, the new building features a passage to the Stettler Building, providing an insight into the character of a 19th century art museum. A spacious exhibition area under the museum square connects the new building with the Stettler Building and leads into a room twice the height with unexpected light and views.
• The new building has a unique façade which incorporates elements of traditional Bernese quarrying. The sandstone façade features a rough surface on the ground floor and becomes smoother towards the top. Carefully positioned window openings allow unparalleled views in and out. On the third floor, a skylight ceiling creates a special atmosphere.

Bern is getting a distinctive museum building with a timeless look and a museum square lending it a sense of identity; it will be an open museum which is easy to find and not hidden behind closed walls and fragments of façades. The Kunstmuseum will become a lively place connected to the public space.

The project name “Eiger” fits perfectly: the striking, free-standing new building radiates permanence, its unfussy appearance represents lasting values and at the same time incorporates the grandeur of the Alpine panorama. The fact that higher, prestigious constructions stand along the edges of the Old City is one characteristic that distinguishes the City of Bern. The new building will fit in well with the city skyline and allow the Kunstmuseum to have an impact even from a distance; the Kunstmuseum is easy to spot when coming into Bern by train or from the Kornhausbrücke. The winning team, Schmidlin Architekten, took the opportunity to design a contemporary museum building that integrates well into the UNESCO city of Bern.

The young and innovative office of Schmidlin Architekten (Zurich and Engadine) has experience with complex public construction projects and deals intensively with conversions and extensions to listed buildings in urban and rural contexts. In Susch, in Lower Engadine, the team converted several historic buildings, some dating back to the 12th century, into a museum for contemporary art. The team managed to preserve the protected historic buildings while at the same time creating new exhibition rooms that meet modern requirements. In 2019, Muzeum Susch was selected as Building of the Year by Swiss-Architects. The firm is currently working on the conversion and renovation of the Historic Museum Thurgau in Frauenfeld Castle, a listed building. In Würenlingen in Canton Aargau, the team converted a late Baroque listed farmhouse in the historic village centre into a cultural centre and added an extension; this houses the public library, exhibition rooms and a hall. In Basel, Schmidlin Architekten created an art gallery on the premises of a former car repair workshop. In 2014, the firm won the award for sustainable construction in the Alpine region for its restoration of a 500-year-old barn (Stalla Madulain project).

When developing the project further, the façade’s potential to create a flowing structure should be exploited in order to create deeper links to the surroundings. Furthermore, the extent to which remedial work is possible in the protected Stettler and Hodlerstrasse 6 buildings must be checked. When designing the outdoor space, planted areas should be included to improve the urban climate. Various needs will be coordinated with the museum’s curatorial concept with regard to the multiple use of the foyer and multifunctional room. A jury committee will supervise the revision of the project. Further development will take place together with the city’s Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments. The monument preservation officer was a member of the expert jury.

Thanks to their height and higher permissible loads, the rooms in the new building will enable Kunstmuseum Bern to present exhibitions which were not previously possible to hold. The new rooms and clear visitor paths form a valuable addition to the historic exhibition rooms in the Stettler Building, where the Kunstmuseum’s collections and exhibitions can be experienced in renovated rooms.

The project will bring about an extensive optimisation and simplification of art and goods logistics. Goods elevators will connect all floors, and the location of the rooms (delivery, acceptance and distribution, art handling, protection of cultural property) allows for a resource-efficient solution. Safety can also be optimised owing to clear floor plans. In addition, there will also be new, efficient HVAC systems, the façade construction will have low maintenance costs and low-maintenance materials and constructions will be used. All of this enables much more efficient operation and stable operating costs while covering a larger area. Despite there being more exhibition space, no extra staff are required for the museum ticket desk, shop or for supervision. The solid construction of the new building will reduce the energy required and the layout of the rooms will improve art logistics.

The current building situation – characterised by a number of different levels, difficulties in handling deliveries, depositories which are too small, temporary workshops, inefficient and outdated technology and poor insulation – is insufficient and no longer meets contemporary needs. The solution concepts from a feasibility study in 2018, which propose a new building, allow the museum to be run in a significantly more efficient way that uses resources sparingly and keeps operating costs stable, while at the same time improving the exhibition space in terms of quality and size. If renewed using the sustainable approach described, the Kunstmuseum – nestled between pulsating city life and the hillside on the Aare – would invite people to congregate, communicate and offer space for extraordinary art experiences, contemplation and research. Together with the project planned by the City of Bern to upgrade the area between the Federal Palace and Hodlerstrasse, this would open up an opportunity to link urban spaces to the new Kunstmuseum and upgrade the entire upper part of the Old City in the process.

The overall costs for the renovation of the Stettler Building, Hodlerstrasse 6 and the new replacement building amount to around CHF 147 million. This includes expected construction inflation until the complex is opened in 2033.

Reserves of around 10 million are included. The cost accuracy of +/- 25% corresponds to the current project planning status and will, as usual, amount to +/- 10% as the project plans become more firmly established.

Cost management in accordance with the design-to-cost method will ensure compliance with cost specifications. Potential risks – especially regarding the subsoil, excavation pit and underpinning – have been carefully assessed and included in the rough cost estimate to avoid unpleasant surprises to the furthest extent possible.

Als Alternative hat das Kunstmuseum Bern zwei Sanierungsvarianten geprüft.

• Variante Sanierung: Auf den Einbezug der Liegenschaft Hodlerstrasse 6 wird in der reinen Sanierungsvariante verzichtet. Die Kosten für die Sanierung des Gebäudes Hodlerstrasse 6 fallen somit weg. Da kein neues Nutzungskonzept umgesetzt wird und deshalb weniger Eingriffe in die Primärstruktur des Gebäudes notwendig sind, reduzieren sich die Kosten für die Sanierung des Atelier 5-Baus gegenüber den Annahmen in der Machbarkeitsstudie. Auf die Erweiterung der Flächen für das Kunstdepot muss verzichtet werden, was die Kosten gegenüber den Annahmen in der Machbarkeitsstudie zusätzlich senkt.

  Die Variante Sanierung kostet rund CHF 71 Mio. (bzw. CHF 78 Mio. inklusive Berücksichtigung der Teuerung bis 2033).

• Variante Sanierung+: Diese Variante umfasst die Sanierung des Atelier 5-Baus, die Sanierung des Stettlerbaus, die Erstellung eines neuen Kunstdepots, die Auslagerung der Administration in das Gebäude Hodlerstrasse 6 und die Verbesserung der Kunstanlieferung. 

  Gegenüber der Variante Sanierung lassen sich wesentliche Verbesserungen der betrieblichen Abläufe erzielen. Die Verschiebung der Administration in das Gebäude Hodlerstrasse 6 ermöglicht es, die unteren Geschosse im Atelier 5-Bau neu zu konzipieren und für die Anlieferung eine funktionsfähige Lösung zu finden. Zudem kann die Ausstellungsfläche um ca. 500m² vergrössert werden, dies jedoch bei eingeschränkter Raumqualität (Raumakustik, Licht, Traglasten, Höhe etc.). Die Kulturgüterschutzräume (Kunstdepot), Ateliers und Werkstätten lassen sich optimieren und besser auf die Anforderungen abstimmen. Die Barrierefreiheit kann nicht wesentlich verbessert werden.

  Die zu Beginn der Machbarkeitsstudie formulierten Anforderungen an einen zeitgemässen Museumsbetrieb (Funktionalität und hohe Aufenthaltsqualität der Ausstellungsräume, attraktive Räume für Kunstvermittlung, einladender offener Eingangsbereich etc.) werden nur teilweise erfüllt. Die Machbarkeitsstudie empfahl diese Variante nicht zur Weiterbearbeitung, weil sich damit für die Besuchenden des Museums gegenüber heute kaum Verbesserungen ergeben.

  Die Variante Sanierung+ kostet rund CHF 92 Mio. (bzw. CHF 101 Mio. inklusive Berücksichtigung der Teuerung bis 2033).

• Variante Eiger (Siegerprojekt): Die Variante Eiger kostet rund CHF 133.5 (bzw. CHF 147 Mio. inklusive Berücksichtigung der Teuerung bis 2033). Private beteiligen sich mit 52 Mio. Franken am Ersatzneubau. Somit bleiben für den Kanton kosten von CHF 81.5 Mio. (bzw. CHF 95 Mio. inklusive Berücksichtigung der Teuerung bis 2033).

Fazit: Eine umfassendere Sanierung, die auch das Gebäude an der Hodlerstrasse 6 einbezieht, wäre für den Kanton teurer als der Ersatzneubau, weil die privaten Mittel im Umfang von 52 Mio. wegfallen würden.

Die reine Sanierung der beiden bestehenden Museumsgebäude wäre für den Kanton etwas kostengünstiger, erfüllt die in der Machbarkeitsstudie gestellten Anforderungen an einen zeitgemässen Museumsbetrieb aber in keiner Weise und hätte für das Kunstmuseum Bern weitreichende Nachteile. Da auf die Nutzung des Gebäudes Hodlerstrasse 6 verzichtet würde, bliebe die Administration im Atelier 5-Bau; als Folge liesse sich die Kunstanlieferung nicht im erforderlichen Mass verbessern. Das Einsparpotential für den Kanton würde per 2024 rund CHF 10 Mio. betragen

Der Variantenvergleich zeigt, dass sich dank dem Einsatz der privaten Mittel für den Kanton eine deutlich attraktivere und nachhaltigere Gesamtlösung realisieren lässt. Für Mehrkosten von ca. 10 Mio. Franken kann der Kanton eine zeitgemässe, nachhaltige Infrastruktur für das Kunstmuseum sicherstellen und schafft damit einen erheblichen Mehrwert für kommende Jahrzehnte. 

The project is to be financed through public sector funds, private patrons, foundations and businesses. The financing plan envisages the canton covering the costs for the renovation of the Stettler Building and the costs that would have been incurred for the renovation of the Atelier 5 building. In addition, the canton is being requested to assume all the costs associated with inflation, as the Kunstmuseum Bern Foundation cannot bear this risk. Hansjörg Wyss, Chairman of the Wyss Foundation, is contributing CHF 30 million through his generous commitment: CHF 20 million for the new replacement building and CHF 5 million for upgrades to the visitor experience along Hodlerstrasse, in particular with the removal of the Metro Parking exit. He will provide another CHF 5 million subject to the condition that at least another CHF 7.5 million in private funds can be raised for the museum’s renewal. The financing plan anticipates contributions from private individuals, foundations and businesses amounting to CHF 52 million (including the contribution from Hansjörg Wyss).

Bei der Realisierung des Siegerprojektes können die Sanierungen des Stettlerbaus und des Gebäudes Hodlerstrasse 6 sowie die Erstellung des Ersatzneubaus nicht etappiert werden, da die Gebäude- und deren Nutzungen integral miteinander verbunden sind. Zudem wird ein unterirdischer Ausstellungsraum erstellt, der den Ersatzneubau mit dem Stettlerbau verbindet. Dafür sind wesentliche bauliche und technischen Massnahmen erforderlich, die beide Gebäude betreffen und aufeinander abgestimmt werden müssen. 

Die gleichzeitige Sanierung des Stettlerbaus und die Realisierung des Ersatzneubaus ermöglichen zudem planerische, bauliche, betriebliche und finanzielle Synergien und reduzieren die Belastung für die Anrainer: So muss nur einmal eine Baustelle eingerichtet werden, gewisse Elemente im Bereich Sicherheit, Brandschutz, Gebäudeautomation können gesamtheitlich erneuert werden und aufgrund des grösseren Projektumfangs ergeben sich grössere Auftragsvolumen und somit bessere Einheitspreise. Zudem muss das Kunstmuseum nur einmal geschlossen werden; nach Abschluss der Bauarbeiten ist das Museum wieder voll funktionsfähig und zugänglich.

Die Gesamtkosten für die Sanierung des Stettlerbaus (Altbau), des Gebäudes an der Hodlerstrasse 6 und für den Ersatzneubau belaufen sich per 2024 auf rund 133.5 Mio. Franken. Davon sollen 52 Mio. Franken privat finanziert werden und dem Kanton Bern sollen 81.5 Mio. Franken beantragt werden (Stand 2024).

Um eine höchstmögliche Genauigkeit und Transparenz der Kosten auszuweisen, hat das Kunstmuseum Bern versucht die Preissteigerungen durch die Teuerung zu berücksichtigen. Da keine langfristigen Teuerungsprognosen existieren, wurde für die Zeitspanne 2023-2033 jährlich 1% Teuerung angenommen. Dieses angenommene eine Prozent ist im mittleren Bereich der bei Preisstabilität angestrebten Teuerung (0%-2%) angesetzt. Trifft die Prognose von jährlich 1% Teuerung zu, werden die Gesamtkosten für die Erneuerung und Erweiterung des Kunstmuseums nach Abschluss der Bauarbeiten rund 147 Mio. Franken betragen (anstelle der heutigen 133.5 Mio.).

Auf 40 Mio. Franken wurde im Jahr 2019 der 50%-Anteil des Kantons Bern für einen Ersatzneubau geschätzt. In dieser Summe ist weder die aufgelaufene Bauteuerung in den Jahren 2019-2024 berücksichtigt noch sind die Kosten für die Sanierung des Altbaus enthalten. Teuerungsbereinigt liegt der Ersatzneubau immer noch innerhalb der Zielkosten. Per 2024 setzen sich die Kosten von 81.5 Mio. Franken für den Kanton wie folgt zusammen: 27.2 Mio. Sanierung Altbau und 54.3 Mio. für den Ersatzneubau inklusive Sanierung Gebäude Hodlerstrasse 6.

Das Kunstmuseum Bern wird gemäss dem kantonalen Kulturförderungsgesetz als Kulturinstitution von nationaler Bedeutung mittels Leistungsvertrag direkt durch den Kanton Bern finanziert. Mit der kantonalen Kulturförderungsverordnung von 2013 übernahm der Kanton Bern auf Ebene der öffentlichen Hand die alleinige Finanzierungsverantwortung. Die Gemeinden sind somit nicht in der Pflicht, sich an der Finanzierung des Sanierungs- und Bauprojektes zu beteiligen. Im Rahmen des Fundraisings der Stiftung Kunstmuseum Bern werden neben Anfragen an Privatpersonen, Stiftungen und Unternehmen auch Anfragen an die Agglomerationsgemeinden geprüft. 

Gleichwohl blieben die beiden anderen öffentlich-rechtlichen Stifterinnen (Stadt Bern und Burgergemeinde Bern) mit dem Kunstmuseum Bern eng verbunden, da sie beide gemeinsam mit dem Kanton Bern am 10. September 1875 die Stiftung Kunstmuseum Bern gegründet haben.

Um die geplante Erneuerung zu ermöglichen, hat die Stadt Bern entschieden, den Gebäudeteil Hodlerstrasse 6 kostenlos im Baurecht der Stiftung Kunstmuseum Bern abzugeben. Weiter plant die Stadt, die Hodlerstrasse abgestimmt auf den geplanten Museumsneubau aufzuwerten, dazu die Ausfahrt des Metro-Parking zu verschieben und die Neugestaltung des Bären- und Waisenhausplatzes koordiniert voranzutreiben.

Die Museumstiftung für Kunst der Burgergemeinde Bern hat bereits vor Publikation des Wettbewerbsergebnisses ein Zeichen für das Kunstmuseum Bern gesetzt und einen Beitrag von CHF 2 Mio. gesprochen. Für einen weiteren Beitrag ist ein Gesuch hängig. 

Inflation has risen sharply between the feasibility study conducted in 2018 (index 99.7) and the cost calculations in the competition process in 2024 (index 113.7). When adjusted for inflation, the project that won the competition is within the target costs. Expected inflation until completion is estimated at 10%, which represents around 1% inflation per year. There were various scenarios for calculating inflation, each in the middle and upper band of price stability, i.e. between 1 and 2% annual inflation. If the forecast of 10% is correct, the overall costs for the renewal and expansion of the Kunstmuseum will amount to around CHF 147 million once construction is completed. The same inflation would apply to the renovation of the Atelier 5 building. However, the absolute amount that inflation would apply to would be lower. The costs for renovation without any additional benefits would only be around CHF 20 million lower for the canton than for the expansion project with the new building.

Das Kunstmuseum Bern als privatrechtliche Stiftung und nicht gewinnorientiere Organisation kann das Teuerungsrisiko nicht tragen. Es verfügt nicht über entsprechende Reserven. Um die Kosten für den Kanton so tief wie möglich zu halten, hat sich das Kunstmuseum von Beginn weg für eine partnerschaftliche Finanzierung engagiert und wird 52 Mio. Franken private Gelder von Stiftungen, Unternehmen und Privatpersonen mobilisieren. Dies entspricht mehr als einem Drittel der Projektkosten. Bei den Privatgeldern handelt es sich um Fixbeiträge (Spenden), die keine künftigen Teuerungen einschliessen.

Das genaue Ausmass der zukünftigen Teuerung wird nach erfolgter Projektierung und beim für 2028 geplanten Antrag für den Realisierungskredit besser beurteilt werden können. 

For various reasons, the Atelier 5 building may only continue to operate until the end of 2030. It was only thanks to a variety of immediate remedial measures taken in 2020 that operations could be guaranteed until the end of the decade. If the planning or implementation loan is rejected, there are two alternatives:

• Renovations will not be carried out on the Atelier 5 building, and the building will be closed, resulting in the loss of 2,000 m² of exhibition space. The Kunstmuseum will no longer be in a position to maintain the exhibition programme and presentation of the collections in accordance with its service agreement. International lending of artworks would grind to a halt owing to the poor delivery situation. Likely consequences of a limited offering: sponsorship income and third-party funds plummet, new bequests are not received. The museum no longer fulfils contractually agreed requirements (foundation charters, associated foundations) and has to cut back on its art education programmes for schools. The private funds secured for the “Kunstmuseum Bern of the future” project are dropped. Canton Bern suffers damage to its reputation.
• The existing buildings are renovated and continue to operate as before. The exhibition space will not be smaller than it is today, but the promise to become an open and barrier-free museum connected to the city cannot be fulfilled. The delivery situation remains unchanged – the museum will be isolated from international art lending, and the existing exhibition programme cannot be continued. Operating costs remain high. The provision of rooms for education and mediation does not meet contemporary requirements. Hodlerstrasse is not upgraded or revitalised and the city is not connected to the slope of the Aare River. The opportunity to raise private funds for this project is limited; the CHF 30 million from Hansjörg Wyss is forfeit. Renovation options without any additional benefits cost around CHF 75 million and thus approx. CHF 20 million less than the expansion project with the new building.

Now that the architectural competition has finished and the project is available, actual negotiations with potential donors can begin. Many preliminary discussions have already taken place. Private individuals, foundations and businesses have promised support. The museum foundation of the Burgergemeinde Bern pledged CHF 2 million at an early stage. Further pledges amounting to millions of Swiss francs have been made by private individuals. 

Yes. The agreement between the Wyss Foundation and the Kunstmuseum Bern Foundation was duly signed in April 2022. The agreement with the Wyss Foundation is based on the basic “Kunstmuseum Bern of the future” concept from 2021. The key elements of this concept involve expanding the zone under consideration to include the building complex of the Stettler Building, Atelier 5 building and Hodlerstrasse 6 (with building rights granted by the City of Bern as benefactor) as well as the upgrading of Hodlerstrasse with a new traffic concept and rearrangement of the Metro-Parking car park’s entrance and exit. The overall concept was developed in a collaborative effort and the respective property developers will cover the costs. The Kunstmuseum Bern Foundation intends to fund the museum buildings with a cantonal contribution and the support of Hansjörg Wyss as well as other private donors and foundations. The city will cover the costs for public spaces and streets. 

Hodlerstrasse 6 plays a pivotal role in the renovation project: the Kunstmuseum will gain a new administrative building and bistro in the immediate vicinity, meaning it will not have to build any additional expensive office spaces in the new replacement building. That will enable more space for culture and is a contribution toward sustainable real estate use. The solution also offers organisational advantages: there are strong operational interdependencies between many departments at the Kunstmuseum, with some examples being art education, the archive, curation of the collection and exhibition management. Housing the museum’s administration elsewhere in the city or region would also be financially inadvisable: additional rent would result in a permanent increase in the cost of operation going forward. The renovation of Hodlerstrasse 6 is included in the current cost estimate.

Es ist nicht möglich, die Museumserneuerung durch den Verkauf von Kunstwerken aus der Sammlung mitzufinanzieren. Das Kunstmuseum Bern ist Mitglied des internationalen Museumsverbandes ICOM (International Council of Museums). Nur Institutionen, die von ICOM anerkannt sind, gelten als Museen nach internationalen Standards. Die Mitgliedschaft bei ICOM ist für den Kanton Bern Voraussetzung für den Leistungsvertrag mit dem Kunstmuseum Bern. Gemäss den ethischen Richtlinien des Verbands sind Museen der Öffentlichkeit gegenüber verpflichtet, das ihnen anvertraute Kulturgut dauerhaft zu bewahren und zu schützen. Der Erlös aus einem Verkauf eines Sammlungsobjektes ist ausschliesslich «zum Nutzen der Sammlung – im Regelfall für Neuerwerbungen eben dieser – zu verwenden.» (ICOM, ethische Richtlinien 2.16). 

The Kunstmuseum Bern of the future offers a unique, holistic artistic and cultural experience with national and international appeal. Kunstmuseum Bern appeals to everyone and inspires engagement with art and social values, encounters, dialogue and interactions.

All its activities are geared equally toward audiences of all ages – from knowledgeable art aficionados to an inclusive population consisting of both residents and visitors in all their diversity. Kunstmuseum Bern is a vibrant place for extraordinary art experiences, contemplation, research and encounters. With this new infrastructure, Kunstmuseum Bern can therefore continue to fulfil its mandate of protecting, caring for and sharing the first-rate art collection entrusted to it, offering activities to school classes from the entire canton, loaning artworks to other cultural centres in the canton and providing assistance with questions relating to provenance research. The national and international appeal of Kunstmuseum Bern is preserved, and operation for the public and subsequent generations is secured. The museum’s renewal relies on energy-efficient, climate-friendly solutions for renovation, reconstruction and construction of the new building, meaning that it also follows the sustainability strategy of Canton Bern.

The city, both in its role as a capital city and as the canton’s main city, benefits in several ways from the renovated museum: in addition to the cultural policy benefits and the new opportunities it opens up for the hotel, catering and retail industries, it also offers a unique opportunity to coordinate the redesigning of Hodlerstrasse with the museum’s new building, thereby upgrading the city from an urban development perspective. Further benefits will also come from the planned improvements to Bärenplatz and Waisenhausplatz, which are independent of the museum’s renovation but will be coordinated with it, linking the urban space with the more attractive Kunstmuseum. The entire upper part of the Old City will become more important and gain appeal. All the improvements bundled into this overall project offer promising prospects for the City of Bern. 

No, the offerings complement one another. The triangle formed by the art venues on Hodlerstrasse, Zentrum Paul Klee and the museum district near Helvetiaplatz will strengthen the profiles of both the City of Bern and Canton Bern. The Kunstmuseum aims to collaborate with the museum district, particularly with respect to marketing and mutual projects in the area of art and art education. And as in the past, close mutual support is also possible through works on loan. The further development of Kunstmuseum Bern and Zentrum Paul Klee in conjunction with the development of the museum district is a major opportunity for Bern to position itself as a place of culture and museums, both nationally and internationally. 

The museum is expected to be closed from 2029 to 2033, depending on when construction work begins.

While the museum is closed for construction from 2029 to 2033, exhibitions and co-productions are being planned in collaboration with a variety of art institutions in Canton Bern. There will be close collaboration with Spiez Castle, for example, which has exhibition facilities where important sets of items from the collection of 19th century Swiss art can be put on display. Along the Tour de Berne, it will be possible to experience many of the museum’s masterpieces that are not normally allowed to travel in new constellations or uncommon settings. This will be complemented by a playful offering that grants new digital access to the collection.

A key element of the planned Kunstmuseum expansion is the upgrading of Hodlerstrasse. The aim is to make this an attractive destination for both museum visitors and the general public alike. This involves moderate traffic calming measures in addition to the construction plans (moving the Metro-Parking exit, redesigning the street). The paving and intense greenery provided by the row of trees will lend the street a completely new look. Visually, Hodlerstrasse will follow on from the look found at the paved Bärenplatz and Waisenhausplatz squares, which will also be paved in future, and thus greatly improve the quality of the time people spend in the central perimeter of the upper portion of the Old City. A reduction in road surface and parking spaces will enable the Kunstmuseum and the PROGR or Turnhalle restaurant to open up outwards. Cooperative arrangements for temporary uses also exist with Bern University of the Arts, the Kornhausforum and other cultural institutions. Restaurants on Hodlerstrasse are also interested. This opens up an attractive, vibrant space in the middle of the city that is accessible to the entire population and where people feel at ease.

As things stand today, traffic calming measures will involve a temporary closure of Hodlerstrasse for motorised private vehicles outside peak hours; detailed arrangements need to be modified in the planning process. The idea of upgrading Hodlerstrasse fulfils a long-standing wish of politicians and the public. In general, the goals of the proposed traffic calming measures are also widely supported. While the actual "Kunstmuseum Bern of the future" project is uncontested, the scheduled temporary closure for motorised private vehicles outside peak hours has met with criticism from business associations. The city and the museum are taking this criticism seriously and, in the spirit of active participation, wish to incorporate these critical opinions into future planning. Until the Kunstmuseum’s new building is complete, the intervening time should be used to develop a solution that best caters to all interests by means of test planning. In the coming months, a meeting zone will be set up in front of the Kunstmuseum, selectively furnished and evaluated in an initial step to learn more for the purpose of planning. Those involved hope that this will provide valuable insights for the solution that will eventually be implemented, and are convinced that this approach will produce a solution that reconciles the interests of the museum, city, the general public, districts and businesses.

For the most part, no parking spaces are to be provided for motorised private vehicles in the area in front of the Kunstmuseum. The parking and delivery situation will undergo an in-depth analysis during the detailed planning phase. One important factor is that the interests of business traffic must be taken into consideration.

The only way to upgrade and revitalise Hodlerstrasse to the desired degree is by moving the Metro-Parking exit introducing a new traffic regime. The exit must be relocated in order to create a public space in front of the entrance to the new building and make it easier for pedestrians, cyclists, etc. to reach the Kunstmuseum. In-depth clarifications have confirmed that the relocation of the Metro car park exit is possible from a structural perspective. The exit will be moved to the area where the entrance is currently located. This arrangement makes it possible for people to leave the car park and drive toward the lower portion of the Old City; the old ramp at Hodlerstrasse can be removed at the same time.