Already in the Beyeler Museum, the architecture opens up to nature with large windows, offering views across the park and fields to the Tüllinger Hill. In the Wyss Museum, Peter Zumthor continues this close relationship with the surroundings. The Y-shaped floor plan accommodates the existing tree population and leaves room for a hundred-year-old ginkgo, a giant sequoia, and a group of plane trees. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow the effect of the surrounding nature into the exhibition spaces, while Jura limestone from the region characterizes the façade and interiors. From the terrace, an outdoor staircase leads directly back into the greenery.
Art also extends beyond the museum spaces. In the museum park, artworks find their place among tall trees, magnificent rhododendrons and lively ponds. Some become part of the experience as seating, such as the benches by Jenny Holzer, while others accompany the park through the seasons, including the sculptures by Alexander Calder, Ellsworth Kelly, Thomas Schütte, Philippe Parreno and the artist duo Fischli/Weiss.
With the expansion, the previously private, historic landscape garden also becomes publicly accessible. Existing and new works are added here, including works by Pierre Huyghe, Louise Bourgeois and Rachel Whiteread.
The Ammann Pavilion opens with its glass façades towards the park and connects the new buildings with the historic part of the ensemble. The restored buildings of the former estate house studios, a music salon, the Orangerie and a project space. Together they create new possibilities for education, music, botany and cultural events and for a visit that provides space for exchange and inspiration as well as for tranquility and contemplation.