The Swiss design studio, Gigon|Guyer Architekten, has designed this two-story extension to the Josef Albers Museum Quadrat in Bottrop, Germany. The museum sits in Bottrop's historical park, the Stadtgarten, surrounded by beautiful trees and a pond that hug the striking building symphonically.
The architects used Dinesen Oak Classic in Curated Widths, providing an almost musical sensory play against the otherwise white surroundings, constituting the neutral backdrop for the museum's curated artworks. At the same time, the floors are a discreet reference to the park and the trees just outside. In other words, they have brought a piece of nature's tranquillity and rhythm inside.
Museum – Bottrop, Germany
Architects: Gigon|Guyer Architekten
Photographer: Stefan Müller
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Oak Classic – Curated Widths
Thickness: 22 mm. Widths: 150, 200, 250 mm. Full lengths: 1,8 m.
Finish: Not ours
The extension to the Josef Albers Museum Quadrat Bottrop was completed in 2022 and connects to the original judge's villa from 1913 and the museum buildings by Bernhard Küppers from the 1970s and 80s. Together they form the existing ensemble.
As a recognition of the different building periods and their respective architecture, the shape, materials, and colours of the extension work to support that, but nevertheless form a new, harmonious entirety.
Like the historic villa, the new building has a rectangular footprint that offsets the adjacent wing. The construction of the new building has been carried out with respect for the park trees and the pond, preserving the wonderful view to the northeast from the existing rooms.
