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Welcome to the website of the Kunsthaus extension, where you can keep track of the project as it progresses.
26 April 2018
Breakthrough in the passage
The last layer of earth between the passage from the extension and the existing building by Karl Moser has been breached. From 2020 the underground passageway will enable visitors to move between the Chipperfield building and the existing ensemble, regardless of the weather and traffic on Heimplatz above their heads. It will also be a safe route for artworks to move from the stores to the collection and exhibition galleries on the other side of the road. The entrance to the 82-metre passage is marked by a Lawrence Weiner artwork.
14.03.2017
Ground floor partially closed due to building work. Museum remains open.
Construction work on the Kunsthaus extension has reached the existing buildings. The museum remains open and in operation while new staircases and lifts are installed; these will lead from the existing entrance hall down into the passage to the Chipperfield building on the other side of Heimplatz. The auditorium opposite the restaurant will serve as a temporary entrance hall. Works by Alberto Giacometti have been moved from the ground floor to floors higher up. Art education activities are not affected by the building work.
08.11.2016
Foundation stone laid for the Kunsthaus extension
The Commissioning Body – represented by Walter B. Kielholz (President Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft), Corine Mauch (Mayor of Zurich), Dr. Christoph Becker (Director Kunsthaus Zürich), Dr. Martin Zollinger (President Stiftung Zürcher Kunsthaus) and Dr. André Odermatt (Member of the City Council, Head of the Structural Engineering Department) – laid the foundation stone of the Kunsthaus Zürich extension together with architect Sir David Chipperfield. Urs Fischer, the internationally renowned Zurich artist, supplied a foundation stone for the collection in the enlarged Kunsthaus – a bronze sculpture more than 2 x 2 metres in size.
24.08.2016
Excavation works completed
As anticipated, the earthworks have revealed the redoubt wall of the town’s fortification dating from the 17th century. No remains or archaeologial finds from the ancient jewish cemetery have been detected.
22.03.2016
Construction of the passage under Heimplatz begins in May
Construction work on the underground passage begins in May. From 2020, it will enable both art and visitors to move between the existing Kunsthaus building and the extension. Apart from a few weekend closures Heimplatz will remain open to traffic, which will be routed around the construction site as necessary. Work is scheduled for completion in late 2017 / early 2018. Trees will then be planted to replace two that are being removed in March 2016 to allow construction of the passage to proceed.
03.08.2015
Construction of the Kunsthaus Zürich extension begins
Work to prepare the construction site for the extension on Heimplatz begins on 3 August, marking the start of the implementation phase in the project designed by David Chipperfield and his team of architects. If construction proceeds according to schedule, the extension will open in 2020.
The gymnasia and huts currently on the site of the extension will be freed of contaminants (including asbestos) to ensure that there is no danger to people or the environment during subsequent demolition. At the same time, the trees that will be retained for the art garden will be protected, while the remainder are cleared. As is normal during construction, a hoarding will then be erected to screen the entire site. Excavation will commence once the preparatory work is complete.
02.02.2015
Building permit takes legal effect. Construction to begin in autumn 2015, opening in 2020.
A legal dispute has blocked progress on the Kunsthaus extension for two years. The Lucerne-based Archicultura Foundation lodged an objection to the decision of 31 May 2013 granting the building permit. In its judgment of 19 December 2014, the construction appeals court dismissed this objection. The Archicultura Foundation has decided not to appeal against this judgment, and as a result the building permit now takes legal effect.
