Facts on the extension of the National Museum Zurich

Panoramic view from the banks of the Sihl with the big bridge | © CHRIST & GANTENBEIN architects

The planned extension, designed by the architects Christ & Gantenbein, complements the museum buildings constructed by Gustav Gull, allowing visitors to follow a circular route through the old and new building. The key feature of the new building is the bridge, which creates a spatial and optical relationship between the park and the museum.
The plans for the annexe, as part of the 2002 competition project, have been revised after discussions with opponents and individuals with expert knowledge: The total usable area of the new construction was reduced by one third, the integral preservation of the old building, including the applied arts wing, is guaranteed, and a line of sight and a spatial link between the Platzspitz park and the museum courtyard is opened up.

The extension of the National Museum in the park …

provides the necessary space for flexible rooms for temporary exhibitions, an auditorium and a study centre for cooperation with schools and colleges, as well as a catering infrastructure for a museum restaurant.

is supported, with a substantial majority, by the parliaments of the Federal Council, the Canton and the City.

is not contested either by the Federal Commission for Historic Monuments and Site Preservation or by the Nature and Heritage Commission of the Canton of Zurich, nor by the Historic Monuments Commission of the Canton of Zurich. The Swiss Heritage Society is not opposed to it either.

takes up 1,300 m2 of the total park area, which covers 36,400 m2.

had already been planned by Gustav Gull, and the park declared as a reserved area for the National Museum.

will endeavour to build to Minergie-P standard.

Funding:

The cost of the extension of the Zurich National Museum is calculated at CHF 111 million. Of this, CHF 5 million will come from private sources. The majority of the funding required will be contributed by the Swiss Confederation:

Federal government
76 Million:		The application for funding from the Federal authorities was approved in 2008. The Federal authorities accepted the civil building programme as the awarding authority.
Canton of Zurich
20 million:		The funding application at the cantonal level was approved with a large majority by the Cantonal Council in 2009. The contribution will be funded from the lottery fund. The opponents have lodged an appeal with the Federal court against the decision.
City of Zurich
10 million:		3.25 million surrender of land and 6.75 million site-related contribution. The contribution from the City of Zurich was approved by a large majority in the municipal council in 2009. The opponents of the draft bill have collected signatures for a referendum against the municipal council’s decision. A referendum is expected to be held in Zurich in June 2010.
		Panoramic view from the banks of the Sihl with the big bridge © CHRIST & GANTENBEIN architects Spitalstrasse 12 CH - 4056 Basel T + 41 61 260 90 20 F + 41 61 260 90 30 Download ZIP-File (1.88MB)
		Ansicht vom Hauptbahnhof mit dem neuen Eingang © CHRIST & GANTENBEIN architects Spitalstrasse 12 CH - 4056 Basel T + 41 61 260 90 20 F + 41 61 260 90 30 Download ZIP-File (2.22MB)
		Landschaftsplan © DIPOL Landschaftsarchitekten Download PDF-File (1.72MB)
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