The Fondation Beyeler in Riehen, Switzerland, is preparing to enter a new phase as its long-awaited expansion by renowned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor moves toward completion. Beginning in autumn 2026, visitors will gain access to portions of the expanded campus, while the full ensemble is scheduled to open in January 2027. The project significantly enlarges one of Europe’s most celebrated art institutions, extending its relationship with architecture, landscape, and contemporary culture.
Peter Zumthor’s New Museum Campus
Established in 1997 within a museum building designed by Renzo Piano, the Fondation Beyeler has become one of Switzerland’s most visited art museums. Situated within the historic Berower Park near Basel, the institution houses an internationally recognized collection of modern and contemporary art. The expansion continues the museum’s longstanding dialogue between art and architecture while responding to growing exhibition and visitor demands.
The origins of the project date back to 2016, when Peter Zumthor was selected through an international competition to design an extension for the museum. Zumthor envisioned a carefully composed ensemble of buildings integrated into the surrounding landscape. His proposal was inspired by the village-like character of Riehen and sought to preserve the site’s natural qualities while expanding the institution’s cultural reach.
The expanded campus connects the existing Renzo Piano museum with a series of new additions, including the House for Art, an event pavilion, and supporting service facilities. These new structures are arranged within the formerly private Iselin-Weber Park, transforming the historic grounds into a larger public cultural landscape. Together, the buildings create a seamless transition between exhibition spaces, gardens, and open-air experiences.
A defining aspect of the project is its emphasis on landscape. The expansion extends the museum grounds into a publicly accessible park where art, architecture, and nature coexist. New pathways, gardens, and gathering spaces are designed to encourage visitors to engage with the site beyond the gallery walls, reinforcing Fondation Beyeler’s commitment to creating immersive cultural experiences.
The House for Art serves as the centerpiece of the development, providing additional exhibition capacity for the institution’s growing program of temporary exhibitions and collection displays. Designed with Zumthor’s characteristic attention to materiality, atmosphere, and spatial experience, the building is intended to complement it. This dialogue between two generations of acclaimed architects is expected to become one of the expansion’s most compelling architectural features.
The gradual opening strategy will allow visitors to experience the expanded grounds before the full completion of the campus. As new areas become accessible throughout autumn 2026, the institution will progressively introduce the public to its enlarged cultural landscape, culminating in the official opening of the complete ensemble in January 2027. The development represents a reimagining of the Fondation Beyeler as a cultural campus. By combining world-class art collections with architecture and public green space, Peter Zumthor’s design extends the museum’s legacy while creating new opportunities for engagement.
Image credit: © Atelier Peter Zumthor / Source: afasia Magazine
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