Architects Herzog & de Meuron expanded the Kuppersmule Museum in Duisburg by adding new industrial-style buildings to it.

Ekaterina Karpukhina

Simon Menges

For more than four years, the Swiss bureau Herzog & de Meuron has been expanding the small Kuppersmule museum in Duisburg. Finally, on September 25, it reopened its doors to visitors. Guests will see a presentation of works from the collection of Karl Streher and new exhibition spaces, where works of German and European art of the post-war period will be located.

The museum opened in 1999 in the industrial complex of the old mill. In fact, the gallery spaces were located in the granary, which was reconstructed by the architects Herzog & de Meuron. After more than 20 years, they returned here to supplement the Kuppersmule with new buildings.

A brick extension added 2,500 m2 of exhibition space. It is made in accordance with the original complex and almost exactly repeats the facades of old buildings. Three new interconnected buildings are adjacent to a number of granary buildings and are connected at different levels via bridges passing directly through the silos.

According to the architects, these huge concrete bunkers have been restored as “industrial monuments”. And on their roof there is an observation deck, open to visitors in good weather.

A total of 35 new gallery spaces have appeared on four floors, where an extensive collection of German and European post-war art is exhibited.

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