The jury of the international architectural competition organized by the City of Essen, in its meeting of March 13th, declared David Chipperfield Architects Berlin/London the winner. Herr Prof. Beitz accepted the recommendation of the jury on behalf of the Krupp-Stiftung and decided that the new building of the Museum Folkwang would be designed by David Chipperfield Architects.

The London architect David Chipperfield (*1953) convinced the jury with a plan that allowed an opening of the museum towards the Essen city center, something desirable in terms of urban development, while at the same time providing clear and functional interior structures. In doing so he integrated the listed old building in the ensemble, building on its existing concept with inner courtyards, gardens and transformable halls. The flowing series of rooms at a single level offers sufficient space and creates the best conditions for the most demanding operations and exhibition programs. Equally, an energy-efficient air conditioning, ventilation and lighting concept is included, which respond to both curatorial and environmental demands.

The entrance area on Museumsplatz is one of the design’s eye-catchers. A generous outside stairway and an open interior courtyard facing the street and protected by a glass façade will provide transparency. Located here are the café, restaurant and museum bookshop, accessible even outside museum opening hours. Upon entering, the foyer allows a view of the old building and in the park to the west. An underground parking garage, which many had asked for, should make parking problems a thing of the past. A multi-function hall on the north side, which can be used for lectures and the “Education and Communication” department’s program, has a separate entrance and provides the requested connection to the neighboring Institute of Advanced Studies in the Humanities (KWI).

David Chipperfield is one of the leading architects for museum buildings. His international projects have a reduced, purist elegance which aims especially to serve the presentation of works of art. His has recently designed the Lituraturmuseum in Marbach am Neckar, among others. Currently, the entrance building for the Berlin Museum Island is being constructed on his plans.