Architecture: rapperswil jona municipal museum extension_mlzd_ switzerland

The project aims to provide a better flowing circulation for the pre-existing buildings of the cultural facility in rapperswil-jona, switzerland. in addition to establishing a more intuitive layout, the design seeks to lend a new exterior identity to the museum with a bronze perforated facade that folds between two historic structures. The winning design of a competition held in 2007, one of the criteria for the new building was to leave the overall townscape as seen from the north unchanged. in response, the project inserts itself discreetly by a narrow street, integrating itself in to the town through scale and proportions. Contrasting from its immediate surroundings is the geometric exterior finish: a bronze skin that pleats in and out to avoid crossing over the old buildings' windows, resulting in a sculptural effect to the facade. Small circular perforation ranging from dense to sparse collections admit natural light into the interior in a controlled fashion. As a new part of the whole complex, the extension provides disabled access as well as a new main entrance from the street. additional rooms, operations and exhibition spaces enable a flexible use of the facility. individual area benefits from different qualities - natural light, views, vertical height - to host a variety of exhibitions. gradually shifted in orientation, the scaling staircases offer unexpected perspectives and vistas of both the town and the museum.