6Even in todays greatly changedurban landscape, theKppersmhle in Duisburg is stilla striking city landmark. Builtbetween 1908 and 1916 by theKiefer Brothers and JosephWeiss, the imposing brickwarehouse has a strongmonumental quality, reinforcedby its heroic scale and robustmateriality. It is the mosthistorically significant structurein Duisburgs inner harbour, anarea currently being rejuvenatedto a masterplan by NormanFoster. A key aspect of themasterplan strategy involvesfinding new uses for industrialantiquities such as theK p p e r s m h l e .

Herzog and de Meuron wereasked to convert theKppersmhle to house HansGrothes collection of postwarGerman art, an importantassembly that includes works byPolke, Baselitz and Kiefer amongothers. The conversion of aredundant industrial buildinginto a modern art museum hasclear parallels with Herzog & deMeurons project for the newTate Gallery in London, butthere are also importantdifferences. In the case of theTate, only the external brickcarapace of Gilbert Scottspower station has beenpreserved, whereas most of theKppersmhles load-bearingstructure could be fruitfullyincorporated into the buildings

renovation (although some ofthe existing floors wereremoved to accommodate thelarger 5m high galleries).

Three floors of exhibitionspaces are linked by a new stairtower, placed to the rear of themain warehouse block. The starklines of the tower echo theKppersmhles muscular,industrial functionalism. Narrowstrips of vertical glazing arecrisply incised into the towersterracotta coloured concreteflanks. Inside, a sinuous stairwinds up to the galleries,creating a logical and leisurelypromenade through the building.The warmth of the terracottawalls and the organicsensuousness of the stair givethe confined space a remarkablewomb-like quality. Theproportions of the stair treadsare intended to slow downprogress slightly, so that visitorsproceed through the building ata pace conducive to theheightened contemplation of art.

Galleries are calm andintrospective, with simple whitewalls and cool stone floors.Some daylight is admittedthrough a handful of carefullypositioned glazed strips whichsupplement levels ofpredominantly artificialillumination. The narrowopenings were tested on modelsand evolved from an earlierproject for Swiss artist RmyZauggs studio in Mulhouse.

I N D U S T R I AL I C O N

The Kppersmhle, an industrial relic in Duisburgsharbour area, has been inventively transformed tohouse a major collection of German modern art.

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AR T M U S E U M, DU I S B U RGE R M A N YAR C H I T E C THE R Z O G & D E ME U R O N

1The imposing bulk of the oldKppersmhle looms over Duinner harbour.2Main entrance sliced into thebrick flanks. Set against the moriginal building, the new intehave a surprising intensity.3Harbour elevation, with newlwindows over some gallery sp4New stair tower links exhibit

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6Existing windows in the pthe warehouse housing tgalleries have been sealeusing bricks of the same and texture of the originthese have been scrupulocleaned and repaired. Thmuting of the facade heigthe buildings monolithicelemental character and the new elements (such long window slits and anexquisite, copper-clad dosingular and surprising in

Herzog & de Meuronsstrategy of intervention renewal seeks to respecthe building and its conteThe Grothe Collection hhandsome new home witechnical and cultural amof a modern art museumKppersmhle has acquidynamic new lease of liferevived building also makcontribution to Duisbururban regeneration. As iindustrial relics are gradreclaimed for new uses, heart of the city grows s

A r c h i t e c tHerzog & de Meuron, Basle, SwitProject teamJrgen Johner, Katsumi DarbellayLukas Kupfer, Mario Meier, AstriSimon SmacznyStructural engineersOve Arup & PartnersIngenieurbro Lewenton WernerMechanical and engineerIngenieurgesellschaft KruckP h o t o g r a p h sChristian Richters

AR T M U S E U M, DU I S B U RGE R M A N YAR C H I T E C THE R Z O G & D E ME U R O N

ground floor plan (scale approx 1:1000)

first floor plan

longitudinal section

cross section

a e n t r a n c eb r e c e p t i o nc loading dock/liftd s t o r ee gallery spacef stair tower

5The sensuous, womb-like interior ofthe stair tower.6One of the larger, double-heightexhibition spaces.7Galleries are calm and introspective,with white walls and stone floors.

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