BASEL.- This autumn, the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen near Basel will gradually start presenting its newly expanded ensemble to the public, opening fully in January 2027. This major development combines the existing museum designed by Renzo Piano with new buildings conceived by Peter Zumthor and repurposed historic buildings, doubling the size of its park and considerably enhancing the exhibition spaces. The expansion will be celebrated with a year-long programme of art exhibitions and cultural events.
The Fondation Beyeler is expanding both spatially and conceptually, further enhancing the unique relationship between art, architecture and nature, for which it is internationally renowned. With the opening of a previously private, landmarked park to the public, the surrounding landscape is nearly doubling in size and is enriched with century-old trees, ponds, and open meadows.
The expanded ensemble unites the existing Beyeler Museum, designed by Renzo Piano, with new buildings by Peter Zumthor, including new collection and exhibition spaces (Wyss Museum), a pavilion for cultural events (Ammann Pavilion) and a building for logistics as well as a variety of additional public artworks and social spaces. Listed historic buildings are being carefully restored and given new purposes: education studios, a music listening salon, a greenhouse and a mini project space, extending the platforms for artists and the public.
To mark this milestone, the Fondation Beyeler will unfold artistic celebrations over an entire year and across its ensemble, inviting the public to progressively experience the enhanced interplay of art, architecture, and nature. The year-long programme will celebrate the museum’s legendary collection, featuring an exhibition of key works enhanced by new acquisitions and loans from prestigious private collections presented across the existing and newly expanded spaces, changing seasonally. The accompanying temporary exhibitions include a retrospective of Ruth Asawa opening in October, followed by major solo exhibitions on Frida Kahlo, Louise Bourgeois and Elizabeth Peyton, each offering a rare opportunity to explore the artist’s practice in-depth.
Alongside the exhibition programme the Fondation Beyeler will host a wide range of cultural events. Visitors will be able to discover a rich public programming of concerts, performances, artist and architect talks, film screenings, botanical programming, music-listening sessions, workshops, and more, welcoming visitors to explore the various elements of the expanded ensemble.
The new buildings of the Fondation Beyeler are made possible primarily through the Wyss Foundation of Hansjörg Wyss and the Beyeler-Stiftung. The Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation, the Daros Collection as well as Dr. Christoph M. Müller and Sibylla M. Müller have also generously supported the expansion. The Ernst Göhner Foundation and the Don Quixote Foundation, as well as other private donors, are making a significant contribution. The expanded ensemble of the Fondation Beyeler is privately financed. The municipality of Riehen is participating in the financing of infrastructure in public spaces as well as the maintenance of public gardens.
