The expanded Fondation Beyeler campus in Riehen, near Basel, is set to begin its gradual opening to visitors on September 26, 2026, ahead of a full public opening on January 15, 2027, according to designboom. Designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, the project extends the original 1997 museum built by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop into a multi-building cultural campus integrated with newly accessible parkland.
Peter Zumthor’s Three-Building Master Plan for Fondation Beyeler
Following a 2015 study involving 11 architectural practices, Atelier Peter Zumthor was unanimously selected by an international jury to design the museum’s expansion, as reported by ArchDaily. Rather than cramming all new functions into a single massive structure, Zumthor distributed the program across three distinct buildings: the Wyss Museum, the Ammann Pavilion, and the Erlen Torhaus. According to the architect, this approach reduces the overall volume and prevents the architecture from competing with art. The project also incorporates the adaptive reuse of several heritage-listed historic structures across the site, which have been restored to house educational spaces, a music listening salon, a greenhouse, and a project space.
Did you know? The expansion opens nearly 10,000 square meters of formerly private, protected parkland to the public, nearly doubling the outdoor grounds of the Fondation Beyeler, according to designboom and ArchDaily.
Inside the Wyss Museum and Its Jura Limestone Design
The newly constructed Wyss Museum provides approximately 1,500 square meters of exhibition space across three floors. According to designboom, its irregular Y-shaped plan was meticulously mapped around existing mature trees, including a ginkgo, a redwood, and a group of plane trees. Constructed largely from Jura limestone and hand-built rammed concrete, the building serves as a modern stone villa within the historic 19th-century English landscape gardens designed by Jean-François Caillat. Inside, visitors move along a continuous spiral-like circulation route where side lighting and expansive framed views replace the top-lit industrial galleries characteristic of Renzo Piano’s original building.
Ammann Pavilion and Expanded Public Programming
Positioned between the museum buildings and historic structures, the Ammann Pavilion functions as a free-to-enter social hub constructed from glass, oak, cherry, and pear wood. During the day, it operates as a public lounge, while evening hours transform it into an acoustic venue capable of hosting up to 250 people for concerts, film screenings, and talks, according to designboom. To mark the opening of the expanded campus, the Fondation Beyeler has announced an extensive inaugural program.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the expanded Fondation Beyeler open to the public?
According to designboom and ArchDaily, the expanded campus begins a gradual opening to visitors on September 26, 2026, with the full site accessible daily starting January 15, 2027.
Who designed the expansion of the Fondation Beyeler?
The expansion was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Swiss architect Peter Zumthor of Atelier Peter Zumthor, following a 2015 architectural study.
What new facilities are included in the Zumthor expansion?
The campus additions include the Wyss Museum for exhibitions, the Ammann Pavilion for public and cultural events, the Erlen Torhaus logistics building, nearly 10,000 square meters of newly accessible parkland, and several restored historic buildings housing educational facilities, a greenhouse, and a vinyl listening salon.
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