The Building: Facts and Figures

Dates
October 1994: Excavation and beginning of building.
August 1995: Topping out ceremony.
August 1996: End of building.
October 1, 1996: Official inauguration.
October 3, 1996: Opening for the public.

 

Site supervision
Client: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel
Architect: Mario Botta
Contractors: Georg Steiner, GSG Baucontrol Ltd., Basel

 

Dimensions of building
Exhibition spaces: 2'866 sqm

Total surface: 6'057 sqm
External dimensions main building

Length: 61.2 m
Width: 48.7 m
Height: 12.6 / 15.4 m

 

Selection of used materials
Floor exhibition halls: parquet, oak wood, grey varnish
Floor Cafeteria: parquet, oak wood, grey varnish
Floor staircase: granite Nero Angola
Floor surroundings: granite Portugal
Inner walls: gypsum board and plaster, painted white
Inner walls staircase: stucco lucido veneziano, black
Outer walls: sandstone Rosé de Champenay (Alsace)
Ceilings: acoustic panels wood, white, type Lignoform; acoustic panels, MDF, white, type Topakustik
Roof exhibition hall: vaulted metal plate roof, titanium zinc corrugated rim

 

Inner spaces and installation
Porch between museum and park, hall in five sections with panels that can be raised
Gallery with four exhibition spaces
Underground crypt
Four upper floor spaces with skylights
La Barca, promenade above the Rhine
Museum Shop
Cloakroom
Ticket desk
Conference hall
Restoration workshop
Storage spaces
Museum-Bistro with terrace on the Rhine
Fountain with "Swimming Sculpture" by Jean Tinguely