082121-BUENDNERKUNSTMUSEUMCHUR-©-KARINBUERKI-HEARTBRUT-1

Grisons Museum of Fine Arts Extension

Words & Photography: Karin Bürki

Words & Photography: Karin Bürki

Gridfinity

The 4,000 m2 purist concrete cube is located in the centre of Chur opposite Villa Planta, the splendidly ornamental 18th-century home to the original art museum. The extension by Barcelona-based practice Barozzi Veiga from Barcelona is a contemporary take on the Palladian style of its predecessor. But instead of pomp, radical reduction and repetition reign supreme: the façade’s slick inset relief panels comprise 4,600 square blocks of moulded concrete. It’s Palladian for purits, so to speak. This minimalist cube is a fine example of how concrete can be translated into something that is both eye-catchingly bold and filigree at the same time.

The extension won the RIBA Award for International Excellence 2018.
Museum of Fine Arts Chur, Bündner Kunstmuseum Chur, Barozzi/Veiga, © Karin Bürki/Heartbrut. Explore more on Heartbrut.com

© Karin Bürki/Heartbrut

© Karin Bürki/Heartbrut

Autosilo Balestra, multi storey car park and shopping centre, Carlo Cesarini, Lugano, 1978 Ticino, Swiss brutalism. Explore more on Heartbrut.com
Haus Vogelbacher, Pierre Zoelly, Stampa, Bregaglia, Canton of Grisons. Swiss brutalism, Schweizer Brutalismus, brutalisme suisse. Explore on Heartbrut.com
Hochhaus zur Palme High-Rise, Haefeli Moser Steiger, Zurich, 1955-1964, Swiss Brutalism, © Karin Bürki/Heartbrut. Explore more on Heartbrut.com
PMS Kreuzlingen, Esther + Rudolf Guyer © Karin Bürki/Heartbrut. Explore more on Heartbrut.com

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