New building for Basel Museum and State Archives one step ahead

The Natural History Museum in the Berri building on Augustinergasse and the Basel-Stadt State Archives on Martinsgasse are in urgent need of new accommodation: The usable space at both locations has not been sufficient for a long time. The two cultural institutions are therefore to be housed in a new building in the future; according to the press release, the combined and highly public location should bring cultural, organizational and financial advantages and, not least, give fresh impetus to the up-and-coming St. Johan district. After evaluating over 20 alternative locations for the museum, the government opted for the St. Johann train station in 2012; the canton of Basel-Stadt has already purchased an area previously used for storage from the SBB.

The realization of the new combined building designed by Zurich architects EM2N is planned for 2020 to 2023, according to the press release. This will be followed by a one-year relocation and furnishing phase for the State Archives, while the relocation of the Natural History Museum is expected to take around two years. The investments for buildings, operating facilities and relocations are estimated at CHF 195.4 million, as announced by the government at the end of February. The total sum of CHF 214 million, which the Basel government is now proposing to the Grand Council, also includes reserves, temporary personnel costs for project support and follow-up costs for operation and maintenance in the first year of operation. In 2013, the Grand Council approved a total of CHF 11 million for the project planning of the joint new building by a large majority.