Bern: Art museum to be renovated and expanded
The Kunstmuseum Bern (KMB) has presented plans for a modernization project. Cost: CHF 40 million.
The extension of Atelier 5, which was built in the 1980s, is in need of major renovation, according to the KMB-ZPK, the umbrella foundation of the Kunstmuseum Bern. Therefore, among other things, the building services are to be renewed and the earthquake safety increased.
In addition, however, the modernization project will also provide additional exhibition space for contemporary art in the order of around 600 square meters. A further 350 square meters are planned for the protection of cultural assets and storage space. The Stettler Building will also be adapted and redesigned, in particular the entrance area will be made more user-friendly.
The schedule envisages that the Board of Trustees of the umbrella foundation KMB-ZPK will decide on the realization of the project by the end of 2017. The start of construction is planned for January 2019, and the reopening of the Atelier 5 building in the summer of 2021.
According to the umbrella foundation, the cost ceiling in the current project status is around CHF 40 million. Financing is to be provided by the canton of Bern and third-party funds.
