Natural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten

Natural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten - Exterior Photography, Windows, FacadeNatural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Countertop, ChairNatural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten - Image 4 of 20Natural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten - Exterior Photography, Windows, FacadeNatural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten - More Images+ 15

Saint Gallen, Switzerland
  • Architect In Charge: Armon Semadeni, Marius Hug, Michael Meier, Anita Emele, Martin Dennler, Jonas Krieg, Kirsten García, Anouk Trautmann, Daniel Hediger, Thomas Winkelmann, Tobias Uhlmann, Murielle Geel, Alexandre Figueiredo, Estelle Bertholet, Nina Fruhmann, Alain Walter
  • Signage: BIV Grafik
  • Scenography: Rapperswil, 2nd West
  • City: Saint Gallen
  • Country: Switzerland
More SpecsLess Specs
Natural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten - Exterior Photography, Cityscape
© Bart Ingenieure AG
Natural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade
© Roman Keller

Text description provided by the architects. The new building of the Natural History Museum St. Gallen carries on the existing ensemble of public buildings and facilities surrounding the church St. Maria Neudorf and the botanic garden on the eastern limits of the city centre. Through the urban setting and the use of mostly lithic materials the building acts as a visual and representative landmark towards the street and the church complex. At the same time the new museum respects the strong presence of the church’s silhouette. The visible structure of the roof refers to the functional, modest expression of the existing architectures in the botanic garden. 

Natural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten - Image 20 of 20
Site Plan
Natural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Roman Keller

The three-storey building occupies the parcel almost entirely. A new open-air exhibition space is defined and becomes an important part of the promenade between church, museum and botanic garden. Four precisely set incisions in the corners of the building volume interlock it with its surrounding. According to each specific situation they host several different functions - such as a quiet terrace for the café, a representative forecourt towards the street and a discreet delivery in the back. 

Natural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade
© Roman Keller

The museum premises are organised as an open sequence of spaces, beginning with the connection of the foyer facing the street and the secondary entrance hall towards the garden. The visitor follows the tour of the museum across two shifting floors, past the temporary exhibition, into the “relief room”. With its impressive height, its specific character and the connection to the gallery above, it reminds of classical exhibition spaces from the 19th century. The space constitutes the heart of the two exhibition storeys and offers great possibilities to exhibit large objects. The second exhibition storey provides a vast unsupported skylight-lit hall, allowing a lot of flexibility for diverse exhibition concepts. Quiet lounges and educational spaces, such as the library and the youth lab are arranged around the core zones, inviting to individual studies and contemplation in a pleasant, private atmosphere.

Natural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten - Image 4 of 20
© Roman Keller
Natural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Windows, Chair
© Roman Keller

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:St Gallen, Switzerland

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Natural History Museum St. Gallen / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten+ Armon Semadeni Architekten" 20 Jan 2017. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/803702/natural-history-museum-st-gallen-michael-meier-marius-hug-architekten-plus-armon-semadeni-architekten> ISSN 0719-8884

© Roman Keller

St. Gallen自然历史博物馆 / Michael Meier Marius Hug Architekten + Armon Semadeni Architekten

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.