What the new museum offers
The Kunstmuseum Bern puts people at the centre: from building access to art education, a high-quality atmosphere to the gastronomy – the Kunstmuseum Bern wants to cater to the needs of its visitors.
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 perfect conditions for wonderful art experiences.
The art education centre will get new, spacious rooms for its diverse offerings and direct access to the newly created Aare-side terrace. With its analogue and digital offerings and programmes, the museum promotes cultural participation. Groups that are not accustomed to using the museum in a more targeted manner are to be addressed directly and involved in the programmes.
The bistro will now also be accessible outside exhibition hours. Non-commercial recreational areas and a modern events hall will transform the Kunstmuseum into an inclusive, public place where people can congregate and communicate. This will enable people to enjoy a taste of the museum atmosphere and architecture without having to pay an admission fee.
All artistic media can be exhibited alongside each other without any restrictions in the new exhibition rooms: works on paper can be displayed next to sculptures, paintings or videos. Thanks to their height, the rooms in the new building will enable Kunstmuseum Bern to present exhibitions which were not previously possible to hold.
"The winning project stands out thanks to its urban character in the UNESCO perimeter and its modern, self-assured architectural language. The jury was won over by the distinct nature of the new building as a solitary structure that leaves the Stettler Building entirely separate, and the inclusion of the property at Hodlerstrasse 6 in the ensemble. With the creation of a square on Hodlerstrasse and the opening up of the slope of the Aare River, the project creates clear added value for the city and gives Kunstmuseum Bern an attractive, inviting address."
Thomas Hasler, President of the Jury