The Kunstmuseum Basel is considered one of the most prominent art museums worldwide. It has a long established tradition with a collection of works representing the highest artistic standards. Since its founding in 1661 the Kunstmuseum Basel has continuously acquired and developed to become the innovative index of current artistic production that it is today. A donation to the Basel-City canton made possible the unique opportunity to finally realize a necessary spatial expansion – through a new building – on a neighbouring parcel.

Excerpt from the final report of the jury:
‘ … [the achievement of this design concept] is a precise, cleanly and thoroughly detailed building accomplished through a distinct orientation and direct relationship to the entrance portal of the existing historic structure.
In terms of its urban spatial context this composition is captivatingly cohesive: the new extension building appears self-confident and independent in relation to its surrounds. The volume is prominently exposed on the Burghof parcel, yet through turning and orientation remains reserved in its position with respect to the existing Kunstmuseum. The maximum façade height of the new building is pre-specified at 21 m, and the available land parcel is fully built to the limit within the block interior.

The remainder is the structure and optimisation of the ground plan. The result is a larger storage capacity that provides a maximum amount of useable space over four levels. Within this structure predetermining stipulations were derived from the circulation cores and load-bearing concept; however, these give the architectural volume rhythm and zoning for a reasonable and useful disposition of the various areas into a succession of exhibition spaces.