Created to house the art of the German expressionist painter Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, the museum is located in the Swiss town of Davos, where he spent the last twenty years of his life. The first major commission for Zurich architects Gigon Guyer, the Kirchner Museum blends into the snow-topped mountainous landscape of Davos. Wrapped in glass panels, the cladding’s opacity varies depending on where it is located on the volume; clear in the lower hall, matt in the skylights to diffuse the bright alpine light, and translucent to cover the thermal insulation to the concrete walls. London based practice Dow Jones, speak to Annette Gigon & Mike Guyer, to compare their parallel practice in designing cultural and exhibition spaces.
Biba Dow and Alun Jones founded Dow Jones in 2000. They have since completed numerous cultural projects including Maggie’s Centre Cardiff and the Garden Museum.
Video footage of Kirchner Museum: Severin Kuhn
Image credits: Heinrich Helfenstein
AF TURNS 30
AF Turns 30 is a new weekly series looking back at the people, projects and policy that have shaped the architectural landscape over the past thirty years. The programme marks thirty years since the Architecture Foundation was established in 1991. Each episode is guest presented by a new generation of practitioners, writers and historians; reflecting on landmark architectural projects in the U.K. and beyond. https://www.architecturefoundation.org.uk/news/af-turns-30
ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURE FOUNDATION
For over 20 years, the Architecture Foundation has brought together professionals from across the built environment to discuss and act on issues related to design and the built environment. With a renewed focus on the city and the critical intersection of architecture and politics, the Architecture Foundation works to effect meaningful change on policy and practice.
» Sign up to our monthly newsletter http://www.architecturefoundation.org.uk
» Support the work of The Architecture Foundation, by donating or becoming a member: http://architecturefoundation.nationbuilder.com
» The AF Store https://shop.architecturefoundation.org.uk/
» Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/architecturefoundation/
» Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArchFoundation
» Download the London Architecture Guide for iPhone https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/london-architecture-guide/id1179176485
» Download the London Architecture Guide for Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.org.architecturefoundation.londonguide&showAllReviews=true
#GigonGuyer #KirchnerMuseum #Davos
