The new Kunsthaus Baselland at Dreispitz: Transformed from a champagne warehouse into a modern art institution by Buchner Bründler Architects. Inaugurated with the major exhibition “Rewilding” in April 2024.
The architectural concept of the project by Buchner Bründler architects centered on preserving the old warehouse in its entirety while introducing a new spatial sequence in a careful relationship into the old structure.
Three newly inserted towers function as pillars to support the concrete structure but also work as prismatic light towers, and organize the exhibition space into a partially two-level building. They channel and reflect natural light into the building’s interior, making it bright, dynamic, and lively; they also work as landmarks, making the Kunsthaus visible from afar. These added volumes transform the former open hall into a series of varied spaces with different heights and formats, offering flexibility for artists and diverse exhibitions. The room structures are kept simple so that changes are readily achieved.
"The new Kunsthaus as an instrument for the production of new artworks and installations"
"Three newly inserted towers function as prismatic light towers, and organize the exhibition space into a partially two-level building."
The entrance hall, accessible from the two main sides, functions as a public foyer and multipurpose space for events and gatherings; an open space of its kind was previously missing on the Dreispitz campus. It is intended to be inviting for everyone: Young people can come to take part in workshops or do their homework, and friends can meet for a coffee, even independently of visiting an exhibition. Visitors can use the library freely or use the foyer for congresses, lectures, meetings, or dinners. This space further offers the opportunity to show multi-year projects by artists or organize performances or screenings in large formats.
With a view to resource conservation and the limited resources of the Kunsthaus’s small team, care was taken to ensure that the indoor climate could be maintained via the materials used, namely cellulose insulation, and manual ventilation via the roof hatches.
"An entrance hall, accessible from the two main sides, functions as a public foyer and space for gatherings."
With a view to artistic positions and endeavors, the old industrial floor was retained, in which extensive drilling can be carried out or heavy weights can be placed. It was equally important that it be possible to drill into the plaster and/or concrete walls.
In the planning and conversion it was crucial to recognize the Kunsthaus as an instrument for the production of new artworks and installations, and to give the artists the greatest possible scope, with simultaneous consideration for limited operating resources.
The conversion was made possible by funding from important partners such as the canton of Basel-Landschaft, the Christoph Merian Foundation, and the Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank, as well as donations from large foundations, companies and private individuals.
Selected press coverage:
Radio SRF2, 10. Dezember 2019 Interview mit Ines Goldbach, u.a. zum Neubauprojekt
Basler Zeitung, 19. Dezember 2019 Interview mit Marina Meijer
Radio X, 26. November 2019 Interview mit Marina Meijer und Ines Goldbach
SRF Regionaljournal, 30. März 2022
bz Basel, 31. März 2022
Basler Zeitung, 30. März 2022
Radio X, 5. April 2022
Wochenblatt, 7. April 2022
bz Basel, 30. März 2023
ProgrammZeitung, April 2024
bz, 10. April 2024
bz, 6. April 2024
bz, 11. April 2024
Basler Zeitung, 11. April 2024
Basellive.ch, 12. April 2024
Badische Zeitung, 12. April 2024
Radio X, 12. April 2024
NZZ am Sonntag, 14. April 2024
NZZ, 15. April 2024
Schweizer Baudokumentation, April 2024
BauNetz, 7. Mai 2024
Kunstbulletin, Juni 2024
Bauwelt, 14.2024